It was a romantic dinner at Stephanie's favorite restaurant. He was in a new Armani suit and had a table overlooking the water. Her sapphire blue dress matched her eyes. This was it. Everything was perfect.

His beeper went off. He was not on call.

Looking at his beeper, he muttered what Stephanie was certain was a Spanish Profanity. 911 from Rachel. With a Miami address.

Steph took the beeper from his hand and read the brief message before waving over the maitre d'.

"We need to cancel our dinner orders, there's been a family emergency." Ric left money to cover the meal and a generous tip.

Moments later, they were in Ric's new midnight black Porsche Cayenne.

In ten minutes, they were at a nightclub and Ric slipped the bouncer a hundred dollar bill to get inside and look around.

Stephanie saw Rachel and her girlfriends first, and pointed Ric in their direction.

"Rachel." Ric placed her hand on Rachel's shoulder. The relief of Rachel's face was obvious.

"Ric, thank God you're here. Sophie, Michelle, Jen and I came out with Sue," Rachel indicated the girl who was slumped over onto Sophie's shoulder. "I don't know what's wrong with her."

Sue appeared unconscious. Ric felt for a pulse in the girl's neck and then lifted her in his arms, telling Stephanie to bring the other girls out behind him. Stephanie helped the girls gather their belongings and left a tip for the server, then herded them to the door.

Ric had the girl strapped into the reclined front seat of the SUV. "Pile in, ladies."

After Stephanie ensured him that everyone had seatbelts fastened, he made for the nearest ER at top speed.

"We will be in so much trouble," Sophie cried.

"You didn't say your friends would narc on us, Rachel." Jen was a mean drunk.

Michelle was quiet, Stephanie thought too quiet.

"Ric, I think Michelle might have been dosed as well."

"We will be at the ER in less than five, the docs can check them all out."

"All five were dosed with Rohypnol, so we gave each of them flumazenil and contacted the police. They are interviewing the girls now. Apparently, a group of guys sent them a round of drinks." The ER doctor was direct. "What is your relationship to Rachel Manoso, exactly?"

"She is my ex-wife."

The doctor's eyebrow lifted. "I see. And she called you?"

Stephanie answered. "She paged him actually. Then we went to help."

"And you are?"

"Stephanie Plum. I work with Mr. Manoso at RangeMan and we were out for dinner." Which was obvious given their formal wear.

"It was good you brought them directly here. We will keep them overnight for observation. Rachel was able to give us contact information for each of the girls. This could have been much worse."

Ric was enraged. Some scumbag drugged these girls who likely only wanted a night out dancing. His fists were tight and his jaw was clenched as he assured the doctor he would only check on Rachel for a moment. All the girls needed to rest.

When he got back to the waiting area, he found Stephanie on one of the plastic chairs. "Anything could have happened to them." Ric was grinding his teeth.

"They are safe, you made sure they were safe. Rachel called you because you told her she could depend on you and you helped her and her friends be safe tonight."

"Ricardo Manoso, I might have known." Rachel's mother came up to him and slapped him across the face just as two officers came through the ER doors.

One of them moved between the outraged woman and Ric.

"Mr. Manoso, I need to interview you…"

"You need to arrest that bastard…" Rachel's mom lunged again and her husband tried to restrain her.

The second cop, who recognized Ric from RangeMan addressed the woman in a low tense voice. "Ma'am, we interviewed the club staff after RangeMan called us. Mr. Manoso arrived at the club and acted immediately to remove the five girls from the nightclub after your daughter contacted him for help. If not for his quick action, there is no telling what would have become of them."

"I want to see my daughter." Rachel's mother stormed away.

"So, no apology for you then?" Stephanie said quietly to Ric.

Rachel's step-dad extended his hand. "I will apologize, Ric. You have been good to Rachel and tonight you went above and beyond to protect her. I am sorry my wife can't see that." Ric shook the man's hand, after which he made his way after his wife.

By the time all statements were taken, it was time for Ric to get home and pay his babysitter. "Babe I wanted everything to be perfect- I planned everything so that I could ask you…"

"So ask me anyway."

"Babe, it is a hospital parking lot."

"Where we are because you have once again shown me who you are- the best of men. I love you and you love me, so ask me."

Ric felt a little silly going down on one knee in a commercial lot, but he opened the small box and held it up to her. "I love your patience, your kindness, and how you make me laugh, even at myself. You bring light into my life and I don't want to go another minute without you. Please marry me."

"I would love to." Stephanie whispered. As he slid the lovely antique ring on her finger, he kissed her hand, then moved to he lips and the night was perfect indeed.