A/N: Alright everyone, thanks for those of you who have managed to review/follow/favorite (OMG, I CAN'T BELIEVE ANYONE HAS DONE ANY OF THOSE THINGS TO ONE OF MYYYYYYY STORIES), today, even though has been acting up! You make me happy! As a reward, here's a new chapter. I tried my hand at smut, so SMUT WARNING. But I've never written anything even remotely close to smut before so I would REALLY appreciate if people could comment on whether or not they liked the smut specifically. I have placeholders for more smut going forward, but I won't bother if people would rather I not include it! Thanks! And, if people seem into it tomorrow, I'll try to post at least one chapter tomorrow too!

Updated: June 22 to clarify a bit about Ranger's contract status. He has to finish out his current contract, but he wont' be signing any new contracts

Chapter 2

I woke up to hushed whispering and lights flashing behind my eyelids. And the smell of Ranger. Then I realized I was moving. I opened my eyes and looked around. Ranger was holding my hand as Bobby and five other Merry Men were pushing me on a gurney. Gosh! I know I gained a couple pounds over the last couple months of self-pity eating, but did it really take that many of them to push me! The gurney has wheels and they're supposed to be strong.

They all broke out in laughter around me. Sigh. I guess I said that out loud.

"We just wanted to make sure you're okay, Steph!" said Lester.

"Boss texted us when he got to your apartment and told us to bring his Porsche." Hal added. "Next thing we knew, he was texting Bobby saying to be ready because you were hurt. We called Tank but all he could say was that Boss was carrying you and he couldn't tell what was wrong."

"Guys, I'm fine, just a cut. On my hand. I can walk!"

By now we were in the elevator. How we all fit, I'm really not sure. I tried to sit up with the intention of getting off the gurney and six sets of hands were pushing me back down. Ranger didn't join them, just kept holding my hand and looked me in the eye and said, "Babe, please, just relax until Bobby looks you over."

I rolled my eyes, but he did say "please" so I stayed put. When the elevator doors opened, it seemed like every other Merry Man was waiting by the doors. I just sighed and gave them a finger wave with my good hand as I rolled past to Bobby's clinic.

When everyone tried to follow us in, I gave them all a death glare. I was pretty sure that I was going to need stitches. And I hate stitches. And I didn't want them all to see me cry. Sure, they've seen me cry before, but this would be different.

Ranger noticed my glare and said, "Okay, everyone but Bobby out! Babe, is it okay if I stay with you?"

I wanted Ranger to keep holding my hand and distracting me, so I just nodded. When Bobby started prodding at my hand, I winced. Ranger growled.

"Sorry, Steph. Yep, looks like Boss was right to bring you in- I'm going to need to give you a few stitches."

This just wasn't my day. I turned to Ranger, looking to distract myself as Bobby gave me a numbing injection and started cleaning my hand.

"So, what did you want to talk about? Why were you at my apartment?"

Ranger gave Bobby, who was looking a little too much like he wasn't paying attention, a glance. "Babe, after Bobby stitches you up, we'll go up to seven and then we can have that conversation, okay?"

I harumphed. "Okay. So… can you tell me anything about where you were?"

I noticed Bobby's raised eyebrows and now openly curious expression as Ranger's lips twitched in an almost smile as he said, "No," with a tone of such finality that I knew not to press any further. What was with that smile though? Guess he wasn't expecting me to wait that long to ask.

"Okay…" I trailed off at a complete loss for words. Ranger seemed okay with the silence, as usual, so I just settled in. My hand was pretty numb now, so I couldn't really feel Bobby working. I just focused on Ranger stroking my other hand and stared into his eyes wondering at the emotions I was seeing. Holy toledo, Batman! Emotion?!

Ranger just raised his eyebrows in a way that I knew I hadn't said that outloud, but damn his ESP because he knew what I was thinking anyway.

Bobby cleared his throat, "Okay Steph, all done. Just a few stitches that will dissolve on their own. I know you're up to date on your tetanus, but since this got pretty dirty in the fire, I want you to go ahead and take these antibiotics. I gave you a shot, but you do have stitches and hands tend to be one of those places we pick up germs. It would be a good idea for you to just take one of these a day for the next week, starting tonight, just to make sure there's no infection. Otherwise, just try to keep it wrapped up and dry. Stop by on Friday and I'll take a look, or come in sooner if you think anything is wrong."

With that, Ranger helped me off the table and threw an arm around my shoulder, leading me to the elevators. Once the elevator doors had closed, he pushed the button to scramble the cameras in the elevator as he pushed me up against the wall of the elevator, fusing his mouth to mine. I groaned as his tongue entered my mouth and one of his thighs went in between mine, pressing into me just right. I didn't even hear the elevator doors open, just stared at Ranger for a minute, gasping for breath when he pulled his mouth away and rested his forehead on mine.

Ranger seemed to be panting too as he said, "Missed you, Babe." Then he flashed me his Wolf grin and grabbed my good hand again. "Come on, let's go get cleaned up and then have that talk."

Ranger helped me cover up my bandaged hand in plastic and then walked me to the bathroom. Once I had assured him I'd be fine, I climbed into the shower. I waited for myself to start crying, and when I realized that there were no tears coming, I went ahead and lathered up. Mmmmmm, I seriously love this shower gel.

I took my time in the shower, and when I got out, noticed that Ranger had left me one of his shirts and a pair of boxers on the bathroom counter. I quickly changed into them, feeling a little guilty for hogging the bathroom for so long when Ranger had just gotten back from who knows where. I tried to comb my hair with one hand with no success. Ranger must have heard my sounds of frustration because I heard a soft knock on the door and then he came in. He gave me a look up and down that made me shiver. "Cold, babe?"

"No."

Without another word, Ranger reached out his hand and took my comb, motioning for me to turn around. He gently worked the knots out of my hair and then, to my surprise, reached over, grabbed a hair tie, and fastened my hair into a ponytail. My mouth had dropped open in shock, and Ranger looked at me in the mirror and said, "sisters, Babe." with a smile. "Come on, let's go out to the kitchen and talk."

"I wasn't sure if you were hungry or not, but I was, so I asked Ella to bring up a light dinner for us. She said to tell you hi and she hopes you're alright." I had just realized that Ranger's hair was wet and must have looked surprised because Ranger shrugged and said, "Well, I ran down to the gym to take a shower while you were enjoying yours. Figured we could talk sooner that way."

I sat at the breakfast bar while Ranger poured us each a glass of wine. He carried them over then brought over our plates. Our legs brushed against each other while we ate in contemplative silence.

Once we'd finished, Ranger topped off our wine glasses and then lead me into the living room. He sat down on the couch then patted the seat next to him and dragged my feet onto his lap when I sat. He started massaging my feet with his magic hands and talking.

"Babe, first I wanted to apologize for not telling you before I left that I was going to be leaving. I was actually getting ready to head over to your apartment to have this conversation when I got the call to come to DC. The helicopter was already waiting for me at Newark. I would have called on the way, but I had things I wanted to say to you that I didn't want to say over the phone, and I thought it was only going to be a couple of days."

"Ranger, it's okay. You don't owe me anything, I'm not your girlfriend, I'm just your…" I trailed off, not really knowing what to call myself. Friend seemed too distant and companion made me sound like a hooker. Entourage? Groupie?

Ranger was watching me closely, and clearly had at least some idea of what I was thinking. "Babe, that's what I was to coming talk to you about. The night I left and then tonight." He paused and, wow, Batman looked nervous.

"Tonight, I wasn't sure what I was going to find when I got to your apartment. Would Morelli be there? Would you not live there anymore? Maybe you married him while I was gone and lived in his house, staying at home, newly pregnant with his kid…" Ranger's jaw clenched.

I started to say something, and Ranger just squeezed my hand, begging with his eyes for me to wait.

"I knew you were together the night I left, but I was coming over anyway. And tonight, I was really hoping that you were going to be broken up, or at least on an off phase, when I got to your apartment. God, I'm so selfish."

At this point, I was just oogling, doing my best impression of a fish because I don't think I'd EVER heard Ranger talk this much at once. Or talk about his feelings EVER. Not to mention that his blank face was nowhere in sight.

Ranger took a deep breath and looked me straight in the eyes, "If I had seen you that night, or if you were still together when I talked to you tonight, I was going to ask you to break it off with Morelli."

"But…"

Ranger squeezed my hands again. "I know, I've been an idiot and at times a jerk. I've told you to fix it with Morelli before. I've told you I don't do relationships. I've told you all kinds of stupid things. But, I've been working on changing all of those things because I want to be with you. I want a relationship with you. Well, we already have one, but I want to be in a committed relationship with you. A monogamous one! No poaching, no sharing. I'm done with the government contracts and being in the wind. I have to finish out my current contract, but it is almost up, and I'm not signing any more of them. I'm here and I want you with me. As my partner in every way. Forever, Babe."

I was staring at Ranger, wondering if Bobby had somehow slipped me painkillers when I wasn't looking because of everything I had possibly thought Ranger might say, NONE of it was this! I must have taken too long to respond because, Ranger stopped massaging my feet and started to get up with a hurt look on his face.

I lunged for him, grabbing onto his belt loop and holding him down with my good hand, "Wait! Ranger! I'm sorry, I was just so surprised. I've dreamed of this so many times, but I never thought I'd actually get to hear you say those words. But Ranger, I want to be with you, and I'm pretty sure you and the rest of the world already know this, but I love you too!"

Rangers eyes widened in surprise and joy. Then they darkened and Ranger growled leaning in to me. "Babe, are you sure? There won't be any going back, if we do this, you're mine." He put one hand on the back of my head and pulled my lips to his as I gasped out, "I'm sure, Ranger. I love you. I'm yours."

I distantly heard one of us whimper, and I was pretty sure it was me. There was no warm up kiss, no gentle beginning, it was all heat and emotion. I couldn't get close enough, so I pulled myself up to my knees, threw my arms around his neck, and then swung one leg around so I was straddling him.

Ranger groaned, settling one hand on my ass under my boxers and pulling me all the way forward on his lap until my groin was rubbing against his crotch and I had hooked my legs around his back. With his other hand, he reached up my shirt and started massaging my breasts, alternating between them.

He pulled back from my mouth and dragged my shirt up over my head slowly with the hand that had been on my breasts, being extra careful when he pulled it over my injured hand. He started to kiss me again, but I gasped out, "yours too". He looked me in the eyes and applied pressure to the small of my back, grinding his hips against mine while he reached back and pulled off his shirt with his free hand.

I threw my head back and moaned at the dual stimulus of his hardness grinding against my clit and the sight of him shirtless. I closed my eyes and was taken by surprise when his second hand came up on my back, holding me steady as he took my breast into his mouth. Ohmigod! He is sooooooo good with his mouth!

His hand that was on my ass slid around and somehow managed to fit in the space between our fronts. As soon as Ranger's fingers found my clit and started rubbing, I lost it. I hadn't had an orgasm in four months and I just went off like a rocket, clenching around his fingers, crying out in ecstasy. As I started to come down from my orgasm, I felt his fingers slide further down and enter me. His mouth was still doing wonderful things to my breasts until he felt how completely drenched I was for him.

He ripped his mouth from my breasts and muttered, "Dios Babe, you feel so good. I'm sorry, I can't wait, I can't slow down, I have to…"

He ripped my boxers off me, and unzipped his jeans in a flash. "Babe, can I…?"

"Don't you dare stop!"

Then, to my surprise, he pried my legs from around his waist, spun me around and slid his cock into me with one push. I was sitting in his lap, my legs draped over the outside of his. He held me to him sitting up straight as he rolled his hips, creating friction inside us and rubbing against THAT SPOT. All the while he had one hand rolling a nipple between his fingers, the other buried between my legs rubbing my clit again, and his mouth sucking on my neck. He found the spot where my neck met my shoulder and bit down. I cried out, "Carlos!" while tightening around him for what seemed like hours but I knew was just seconds before I felt another release rush through my body.

He growled out, "Say my name again" as he stood up, somehow managing to stay inside me as he moved us and leaned me over the couch's armrest. He started pounding into me from behind, but kept the one arm low, as he started mercilessly rubbing my clit again. At this point, I was just chanting "Carlos!" and "Oh my god!" over and over again, alternating at random as one orgasm rolled into another into another. Finally, he was commanded me "one more time" and I think I lost consciousness for a few seconds as I came and felt him following me into orgasmic bliss.

We were still leaning over the couch armrest (thank goodness it was so plush, or I'd probably be bruised) and he was pressing kisses to my neck, shoulder and face. I turned and caught his lips with mine and he whispered, "Te Amo, Babe. I love you, Stephanie Plum." Then he straightened up, slid out of me, and said, "come on, as much as I'd love a repeat performance, I'm exhausted. I haven't slept more than a couple hours at a time since I left."

We walked into the bedroom together and he pulled me down onto the bed. He grabbed me close, spooning him, my back to his front, as we faded off to sleep together with smiles on our faces.