A/N: Just gonna leave this right here...

Chapter 16

Steph POV

Joe's whiskey-colored eyes locked with mine. A sneer spread across his face. With him was a busty blond with a low-cut, tight dress that her breasts spilled out of. He approached the table as Jay turned to look at what had caught my attention.

"Someone, you know?" Jay asked with a raised eyebrow as he turned back to look at me.

"My ex."

"Morelli?"

"Yeah. Looks like he found someone else to stick his dick in."

He snorted before Morelli came to a stop beside our table. I almost rolled my eyes, but I managed to stop myself.

"Cupcake." Morelli almost growled in greeting. The woman on his arm flicked her bleach-blond hair and I almost smiled. "I see you found another man to leech off of."

I felt Jay tense, and the tension in the air ratcheted up. As much as I wanted to glance at Jay to make sure he was okay, I didn't because I didn't want to give Morelli the satisfaction. "And I see you finally found yourself a silicone blow-up doll to stick your dick into."

The blond gasped, her hand shooting to her face in shock. She had obviously had a lot of work done; her waist was too small, her tits were too big, and her face didn't wrinkle when her facial expressions changed.

"You're just jealous it was so easy for me to move on from you," he sneered. "I knew you wouldn't be able to stay away from Trenton. You're back, and with another low life. How typical of you."

At that, Jay stood and I grabbed his arm. "He's not worth it, Jay," I said lowly.

Although Jay was seething, he slid back into his seat, fists clenched. "Morelli don't assume you know anything about anyone. It'd be best if you walked away."

"We aren't done until I say we're done," he growled, letting go of his date and stepping towards me. He reached for my arm.

I grabbed his wrist and twisted it before yanking it, making his face slam into the table. Gasps went around the restaurant and his date screamed. I sighed, glancing at Jay. "You mind bailing me out?" I asked with a smirk.

He chuckled. "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?"

Morelli tried to get up and I pushed him back and he landed on his ass. I heard the sirens at the same time he did. He laughed. "You're finally going where you belong." Blood ran down from his nose, over his lips.

I rolled my eyes at him. Eddie Garza walked into the restaurant followed by Big Dog. I smiled at them and gave them a finger wave. Eddie shook his head walking up to me.

"Would you believe me if I said I didn't do it?" I asked.

Eddie shook his head at me. "No, no I wouldn't."

"Eddie, I want to press charges," Joe screamed, his face turning red as he tried to stem the bleeding. Big Dog just stared at Joe, with a look that said he was trying not to laugh. I stood and offered my hands to Eddie.

"Been a minute," I told him. He shook his head at me once again.

"Finding trouble once again, I see?"

"No, just finishing." I shrugged. He chuckled but motioned me to just walk to the car.

"No handcuffs?" I asked. He shook his head.

"I'm pretty sure the only person you're in danger of attacking is Morelli and you've successfully done that now. So, I think we're safe." He paused, opening the rear door of his squad car for me. "Any weapons I should be aware of?"

"Nope." I smiled, popping the P.

"Watch your head," he said, motioning for me to get in the car. "And I'll have to put cuffs on you before we walk into the station."

I hummed in understanding before he shut the door. Relaxing into the seat, I pulled out my phone. I saw a text from Blake, and I replied that he might not be able to get ahold of me for a little bit and not to worry.

When Eddie and Big Dog slid into the squad car they were chuckling. "What?" I asked.

"You got Morelli worked up. He's serious though, about pressing charges, Steph," Big Dog said, glancing back at me.

I smiled. "So am I. He put his hands on me first. And if I have my way, I'll have his badge. Maybe I'll make a pretty little display of it in my living room."

Sitting in the waiting area of the TPD, my hands were cuffed in front of me as I relaxed in the uncomfortable chair, my eyes closed, slouched and ankles crossed. I could feel the eyes on me, but I didn't pay any attention to them. I knew this was already making its way through the burg grapevine, but I couldn't care less.

"Stephanie." My name was called, and I opened my eyes to a familiar face.

"Hey, Uncle Joe." I smiled. "I'd get up and give you a hug but…"

I held up my cuffed hands in front of me and shrugged. His eyes narrowed. "Let's get those off of you, and then we're going to sit down and get this sorted."

I nodded and offered him my hands. He unlocked the cuffs and then tossed them to Big Dog. I followed him into a conference room, where the police chief sat along with someone to transcribe the meeting. I looked at Joe. "I'd like a lawyer before speaking on the record."

He looked like he wanted to sigh. He passed me his phone, and I placed my call. I slipped into one of the chairs, and for the next twenty minutes, we all sat staring at each other in an awkward silence that made me smirk.

The police chief sat across from me twiddling his thumbs, making me want to smile again. Joe sat next to me, scrolling his email on his phone. The recorder sat at the end of the table, waiting.

Finally, Sandra opened the door to the conference room, wearing a navy-blue skirt suit with a four-inch high pair of heels. Her flaming red hair was loose, and her blue eyes were hard as they raked over the room.

"I hope you have a good reason for holding my client here. First, she was wrongfully arrested as she was attacked by one of your officers," she said, staring down at the police chief as she took a seat next to me, setting her bag on the table. I leaned back in my chair, with a smile on my face.

Sandra was the number one criminal defense attorney in Philly, licensed in three states and most prosecutors hated to see her name on their paperwork. I met her when I was looking for one of her clients. She was tenacious, and caring, but didn't take anybody's bullshit.

We had gone out for coffee twice, but we hadn't been able to make time to meet up again. From the look she was giving me, I was going to owe her more than a cup of coffee for this. Maybe a nice dinner for her and her wife.

"Let's get this started," she said placing her phone on the table. "How about an apology, and a plan to punish the officer?"

"Ms. Cooper, we will deal with our officer accordingly and the Trenton police department extends its sincerest apologies to Miss Plum," the chief stated, glancing from me to her, looking for approval. I snorted and Sandra slid her eyes over to me in a glare. I smiled at her, before sitting up a little taller in my chair.

"What can we do to right this?" he asked, ignoring me now.

"A restraining order against Detective Morelli for my client. They are former partners and today he displayed actions that had the intent to harm my client," Sandra said. The chief looked at Joe and then me, and then Sandra.

"We'll have to get the DA Involved, but…"

"There are no buts. If I can't guarantee some type of protection for my client, I am not afraid to file charges against Detective Morelli and sue the Trenton Police Department," she stated, staring him down, challenging him.

"We'll contact the DA," the chief said. She nodded.

"I'll make sure you have my contact info, but I will be checking in with you and the prosecutor both. Now if my client isn't under arrest…" she began with one of her perfectly manicured eyebrows arched.

"Ms. Plum is free to go," he said.

We stood without any further prompting. "I expect to see the paperwork for the restraining order on my desk tomorrow morning." She paused. "And the official apology on paper."

He pursed his lips but nodded. Sandra and I walked out together. She shook her head at me, "Having fun?"

"Just a little."

"Can't stay out of trouble, can you?"

"No, it's my middle name." I grinned at her as we walked out. I got my second shock of the night when I saw Ranger and Jay standing together, waiting for me.

Ranger leaned against his Turbo, and Jay sat on the seat of his bike legs stretched out in front of him with his ankles crossed. I raised an eyebrow.

"Well, looks like you don't need me watching over you." Sandra grinned, "I'll call you when the paperwork goes through."

"Thanks, Sandra. Pick a restaurant for you and Kendra and I'll buy you two dinner." I smiled at her. She clapped my shoulder with a laugh.

"I knew I kept you around for a reason." She grinned and I just laughed. She walked over to her metallic blue Mercedes Roadster, slid in, and let it roar to life. I walked over to Ranger and Jay, trying to raise an eyebrow. By the way Ranger smirked, I failed.

"So… What's up?"

"I think that's more of a question we should be asking you." Ranger smiled.

"I think you've already been given the run down, by my star witness," I replied. Jay chuckled.

"Who was the woman you came out with?" Jay asked. "I feel like I recognize her from somewhere."

"Ahh, that's Sandra Cooper. Pennsylvania's top criminal defense attorney."

"Criminal defense? Are they charging you?" Ranger asked.

"No." I grinned. "I'm getting a written apology and a restraining order. I owe her and her wife dinner though."

"Shit, that's getting off easy." Jay chuckled. "I'd imagine a bill for her even for an hour would be pretty big."

I shrugged. "Ehh, so which one of ya' wanna give me a ride back to my car?"

"I'll do it," Ranger said, Jay raised an eyebrow glancing between the both of us. I shrugged and walked towards the Turbo. Ranger opened the passenger side door for me, and I waved to Jay who shook his head but put his helmet on and straddled his bike.

When Ranger slid into the driver's seat, he started the Turbo and turned to me. "So, tell me, what was it like to beat the shit out of Morelli?" He grinned.

Sorry for the wait everyone! Life has just been so busy, but I promise ya'll this work won't be abandoned! Missed ya'll!