Thanks for the support on this one. I have held on from updating it after seeing that the Long Island Serial Killer has been arrested. Since he also targeted a vulnerable group of the population, it just felt insensitive to post an update.

The chap got so massive and since I haven't had time to fully edit it fully, I decided to break up Ranger's and Stephanie's POVs. Some of you reached out to mention how the previous chap was a bit repetitive with Steph's POV. It was intentional to mirror how Steph was second guessing if she and Ranger are officially a thing, closing it off with her realizing at the end of the chap that they are most definitely partners for everything.

Let me know your thoughts.

Disclaimer: The Plum Universe belongs to JE. Typos are my bad.

Ranger's POV

"It's go time." Santos added, indicating that everyone was in position.

A slew of confirmations floated over our comm units, corroborating that we're all ready to proceed with this operation.

Stephanie, thanks to her observant ways, caught on to the disappearance of a woman not many would have noticed, or cared, was absent. Her unique intuition planted the seed, leading Babe to fall down a rabbit hole that highlighted a horrendous reality. Several working women have gone missing from Stark Street. Babe gathered from her in depth research that an unidentified man with an old model white pickup truck has roamed Stark, offering a hefty pay to select working women. Said women have not been seen or heard from since their interaction with the unidentified man. In a short amount of time, Babe gathered more intel than the TPD cared to collect, much less investigate once the word on the street pointed to a new potential serial killer in our town. Now, they're not happy to have Agent Blume calling the shots despite it being the TPD's jurisdiction. Too bad. I've exerted my influence and connection with several federal agencies to ensure the TPD cooperates instead of obstructing the official investigation.

The trust Stephanie earned from the women on Stark helped law enforcement establish the inside connection that would become pivotal in this operation. Without Babe's hard solo work, we wouldn't be this close to nabbing a sick monster that has left victims in his wake across several states for the past year. The cooperation we have from those living and working on Stark has helped bridge the gap between the authorities and the community.

"All eyes on Stephanie." I reminded despite knowing that my men will do anything in their power to keep her safe. Stephanie has earned a very special place in all of our hearts.

"Babe." I said to get her attention on me as I readied to place her wire. I can feel her heartbeat racing below my fingertips as I ghost them along the center of her chest. I could tell her that she doesn't have to do this, but that won't help. Stephanie's altruistic to a fault. Once she sets her mind on something, Babe won't stop until she's accomplished whatever she's set out to do.

"I'm okay." Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, with a quick nod Babe indicated that she was ready.

Taking my cue, I slipped my hand into the plunging neckline of her minuscule top in order to place the wire, tucking it on the underside of her left breast.

"Ranger." Babe let out a strangled moan even as her eyes flew open, doing her best to glare at me with her mesmerizing ocean blue eyes as my fingers ghosted over her nipple.

"Babe." I gave her my full smile in response, my silent reminder that I'm an opportunist through and through.

With a half grin, Babe showed me that she too can be opportunistic, rubbing my dick through my cargos before she stepped away from my reach. Her fleeting touch coupled with the front row view I had to watch her retreating back left me in quite the state. Babe will always get a full salute, even just by shooting me a smile or giving me a look with her vibrantly electric blue eyes.

"Hey gurl!" The chorus of greetings floated through our extensive audio monitoring of the scene as Stephanie sashed to her corner, effectively snapping me back to the present. It's showtime.

Several surprised sounds filled the comm line as the men got a good look of Stephanie thanks to all the surveillance we set up in that intersection. Wearing a top that looks more like a bra than a shirt, coupled with an extremely tight and tiny glittery skirt, the only thing keeping Babe semi modest is a purple faux fur coat that stops just below her ass. Sporting it in a semi shrugged on style, Babe's frontal profile is as eye-catching as she intended it.

"Yeh, I'm back!" With a throaty laugh that would have me backing Babe up against the closest flat surface under any other circumstance, Stephanie twirled around for the other women to see as she made her grand entrance after her alleged arrest for solicitation. Sporting the same light up heels and wig as her first appearance as Lavender three nights ago, Babe's re-staking her claim on what used to be Sandy's spot.

We all watched Stephanie's exaggerated sensual movements, equally riveted as she swayed seductively as a way to ward off the cold and hopefully catch the attention of our target if he's already somewhere out there watching.

In order for this multi agency operation to flow smoothly, we crafted a rotation of 'Johns' for each woman on this block. Babe gaining the trust of these women created the necessary liaison for this hatched plan to work. Trusting Stephanie, Darnell and three of his girls agreed to cooperate with this operation, an unheard of move. I'll make sure the police keep their word and don't try to turn around to arrest any of them for prostitution. The TPD is already in hot water thanks to their sleazy officer going around intimidating the women with threats of an arrest if they didn't give him free favors.

"First round's up." Slick's voice filled our comms, initiating the first mobilization of our ops. Lester, Bones and Ramon checked in to confirm that they're in position as well.

Bones cruised by in a gray SUV, with a couple booster seats clearly visible in the back seat to give off the appearance that he's a family man. Macy engaged before climbing in the passenger seat. Six minutes later, Ramon idled in a minivan in front of two women, diagonal to Babe's section. He drove off once both women climbed into his backseat. Lastly, Lester made sure to make his entrance known by blasting reggaeton as he zipped down Stark in a flashy red sports car. He couldn't look more out of place if he tried, which is exactly what we wanted.

"Mami!" Lester shouted enthusiastically as he screeched to a stop in front of Babe. "We miss you in Miami, baby!" Laughing, he made a show of flirting and establishing prior rapport to give some background to Babe's Lavender persona.

"Hi, Papi!" Babe followed along, laughing sultrily as she engaged Santos. As Babe danced to the upbeat tune, I had to discreetly adjust myself when my body took notice of her sensual movements. Despite not understanding much, if any, of the lyrics, it seems like Stephanie enjoys the music. Making a mental note of it, I'll be sure to take her out to dance so that she can show me all of her sexy moves. I'll also make sure to teach her many more.

If our mark is watching, he's about to see his window of opportunity closing as we move on to the next rounds. Making Babe a popular choice at the beginning of her night will set a fire under our mark's ass. Or so we expect. We're counting on an impulsive move to be able to nab him once and for all.

"How are you holding up, Beautiful?" Lester murmured his question as he drove several blocks away for their supposed rendezvous.

"I'm okay." Stephanie assured, accepting the water bottle Santos offered her after he put the top up on the convertible. She's been parading back and forth for nearly an hour already.

As the night progressed, Babe and her 'customers' made sounds that could fool anyone. Even knowing that it's all a show, I can attest to how believable they've all been.

The wait for my turn felt eternal. No one has reported a sighting of our suspect, which is worrisome. If he got spooked after Babe was picked up by a cruiser nights back, then we may never have the chance to intercept him again.

"You're up." I said to Hector. To shake things up, Hector has chosen a less conventional set of wheels in case Babe signaled to us that she had something vital to share.

"Ha!" As rehearsed, the other women laughed hysterically when Hector rode by on his bike.

Shouting in Spanish, Hector audibly dissed the women before making his way over to Steph, flaunting a wad of cash. Babe made a show of accepting his offer, pretending like she didn't notice the money. Precariously climbing on the pegs mounted on the back wheel, an impressive move given her high FMPs, Babe placed her hands on Hector's bare shoulders just before she leaned down to whisper to him that she was good to go.

Disappearing from the view of main Stark, we followed their path using our extensive surveillance and GPS tracking monitoring. Not being in a vehicle, it was easier for Hector to lose a possible tail before slipping into our temporary base near Stark. The empty warehouse was perfect for our needs. By morning, every trace of our presence will be gone.

"Estefania?" Hector asked as Zip helped her dismount. Tapping Hector's bare shoulder, Babe indicated to everyone that she's fine.

"I saw the white truck." Stephanie shared, chugging water to parch her thirst. We've been at this for over four hours already. Quickly, Babe drew a rough map of the area from her vantage point while explaining what she saw. Based on her recount and her view, it seems our guy is circling the area using alleys and possibly even cutting through abandoned buildings.

"I want eyes on that section." Agent Blume radioed her team, further lining up her ducks for this op to be successful.

"Lista?" Hector asked Babe if she was ready to head back, to which she asked for a minute to use the portable restroom we had the foresight of bringing in. Babe would rather hold it in than use a dirty toilet.

Following Stephanie, I waited by the sink while she used one of the two stalls. I scrambled our mic and her body cam feed to give us a moment of privacy.

"Babe." Our gazes locked through the mirror as she washed her hands, various emotions flashing through her cerulean eyes.

Spinning around, Babe was in my arms and pressing her lips to mine. In between kisses, Babe shared what she didn't feel comfortable saying in front of the feds and others.

"I can feel him watching me." My hand closed over her nape with the confession, massaging the back of her neck to help dissipate the kink she gets whenever the persistent tingling takes over.

"Babe." Kissing her forehead, I crushed her to my front as I vocalized my understanding. I believe Babe's Spidey Sense. Immediately, Babe looped her arms around my waist, resting her head against my bare shoulder. I too am sporting my old 'gangster' get up. Babe has expressed enjoying seeing me wearing an A-shirt.

"Okay." Blowing out a deep breath, Babe took a step back from me. Regretfully, I let her go.

After unscrambling our comms, I followed after Babe. Hector was already on his bike, ready to go. To save Babe the struggle of climbing on herself, I spanned my hands along her sides and lifted her up. With my assistance, Babe tapped Hector's shoulder to indicate that she was good to go.

The night continued, with our rotation moving along right on schedule. The added eyes and boots on the ground have yet to confirm having eyes on our target. The window is closing as the clock ticks towards sunrise.

"You're up." Woody was instructed.

As Woody gave his ETA, I too began gearing up to be in position. To close off our night, I'll be Babe's last scheduled client. Our mark's window of opportunity grows smaller with every passing second.

Just before I left our command post, Rodriguez in monitors signaled for me.

"A blue Jeep Cherokee just pulled up to Bomber, but Woody is still en route." Pointing at his dual monitors,

I tracked Rodriguez's train of thought.

"Hi, handsome." Babe's suggestive greeting reached our ears as she angled into the front passenger seat before we could warn her that it's not Woody behind the wheel.

"Babe." I said, giving her a quick rundown.

When the harshly loud sound of the locks engaging filled our audio and the Jeep pulled away from the curb, my stomach dropped.

He's got an accomplice.

The FBI's profile about this sick bastard being a loner and working solo just completely flew out the window. They're wrong. Very, very wrong.

"Jefe." Hector grounded out, materializing beside me. In rapid fire Spanish, he too just came to the same conclusion. Someone tipped him off to our plan, giving every detail right down to the model of each vehicle.

With a look I know so well, Hector promised to get to the bottom of this breach. In the meantime, he's already cut off everyone aside from our core team from our audio and visuals.

"Babe." I called to her as I mobilized to switch to being boots on the ground.

"Cowboy, what can I do for ya?" Babe engaged, the tone of her voice indicating that she was already aware that she's not with Woody.