All familiar characters and events are Janet's. Mistakes are mine. The costumes can be found online.

My lips twisted in disgust as the sole of my boot sunk inches into Polaces' gut. You'd think the fucker would've toughened up knowing I was coming after him. And there was no doubt in anyone's mind that I'd be hunting him down as soon as he was released and we'd be having a serious 'talk'.

"I'm sure you know why I'm here," I told him.

He was lying flat on his back and sucking in massive amounts of air. Not the best position or state to be answering questions, but we both know the reason for my visit. You fuck with my wife, and you have me to deal with.

"I don't …"

"Get up," I barked.

"Just shoot me," Polace gasped in-between the deep breaths he was taking to manage the pain. "It'll be less painful."

He's right, that's why I didn't immediately take him out like I wanted to. "Get … the … fuck … up," I bit out.

As soon as he struggled to his feet, my fist connected with his jaw to send him sprawled out on the floor again.

Tank crossed his arms over his chest as he surveyed the damage I've done to the fucker who attempted to set up my wife.

He didn't blink. "You done?" He asked.

"No."

"You sure? You're here on Steph's behalf, what would she want you to do?"

That's an answer I never have to think about. "Get back to her … which I can do after I take care of this asshole."

"I was thinking she'd prefer you make a living example out of him instead of a missing/dead one."

Polace whimpered. His brain is shit but looks like his ears work just fine.

"If his plan to have a friend help lure her into a trap would've worked, the first apprehension she took on after Jace was born could've been her last."

"I get that," my best friend said, not changing his non-expression or the tone of his voice.

"I could've lost her. She might have died."

He nodded. "I understand that too. That's my point. Steph's very much alive and wouldn't want you killing someone on her behalf."

I wanted to sigh, but I refused to give into the urge. "She won't know."

His eyebrow went up. "She won't? Really?"

"You're an asshole," I pointed out.

"Yeah, I am. You should be grateful for that. Not everyone would have the balls to remind you that your code and Steph's differ a little."

"Not as much as you think," I said more to myself than to him.

"So, you're comfortable going back to her and your babies if you snuff him?"

"Yes," I told him, but he knew I'd have trouble explaining my reasoning and lifestyle to someone like Stephanie who wakes up every day trying to save people.

Unlike me, she doesn't mentally sift through the more painful ways to kill them.

"Okay," he said. "You want help?"

It's hard to hate someone you trust implacably.

"No. Get him secured before I change my mind. The fucker already violated his bond so he can revisit his cell."

"You want to swing by the hospital first?"

"No," I repeated. "If he wants to bitch about a boo-boo, the TPD can listen to it. If you didn't get all preachy, we could've just shoved him out of the vehicle at the dump and gone home."

"Olive's due to be picked up soon, why don't you go ahead and meet Steph and I'll call for a ride and get him to the station."

I like that idea, but I don't appreciate why it was offered. "I can handle my shit," I reminded him.

"I know. If something happened to Stephanie, I would've killed him myself. But you two are partners. You have to take her position into consideration."

"I liked you better before you met Mabyn."

"You're welcome for sparing you a week on the couch."

"I've never slept on the couch since we've been together," I informed him. "Even if Steph's pissed at me, she wants me close by."

"Now you're just bragging."

He isn't wrong. "What I'm doing is leaving."

I wanted to kick both men's asses, so I tried to focus on going home to my wife and son and getting to hear about my daughter's day at school. On the ride home, I replayed this visit and decided it wasn't an overreaction. Tank was right in saying Stephanie wouldn't want me going vigilante for her, but she does know and accept that I will do anything and everything for her ... and to keep her alive and happy.

Leaving was the right decision I decided when Stephanie, cuddling Jace, stepped out of the lobby as soon as I pulled into the underground garage.

I got out of the Cayenne and walked over to them. I kissed my son's head and then pressed my lips to my wife's.

"You didn't have a meeting or apprehension scheduled today," she said once I released her mouth.

I sent a 'Fuck you' to Tank for correctly predicting her reaction. My wife knew I was on a personal mission, not a business one.

"I wanted to have a talk with Polace," I told her, waiting to see where her feelings lied on the matter.

"Did you kill him?" She asked, holding her breath.

"No," I admitted, tugging Jace's hat down further on his head. "I wanted to, but Tank reminded me that you wouldn't like that."

"He's right. My instincts aren't like yours, but they've kept me alive so far. I knew I was being set up; I wasn't about to let anyone take me away from you. You want me to believe you can take care of yourself, you have to do the same with me. I don't have your training, but I have my Spidey Sense. Even if Cal hadn't sensed something was off, I would've been okay because I felt the same thing."

"I know. I just needed to make sure he and the street understand that endangering you could prove to be a fatal mistake."

"Believe me, they know. But they also underestimate me. And sometimes it's fun to show them what I can do."

"Not when your life's in danger."

I felt a deeper discussion was about to take place but Flint walking out of the building, still in gym clothes, put that conversation on hold.

"You may want to consider wearing something with sleeves whenever Grandma Mazur is around," Steph said to him. "She's always had a thing for Marlboro Man-types and I'm out of HR lectures when it comes to her 'appreciation' for all things that happen to be male and muscley."

"I would appreciate you not looking so long at him, Babe."

She laughed like I was joking, but immediately sensed I wasn't and explained her eyeballing one of my men.

"Like I would ever need to look at another guy when I have the best," she told me, bouncing Jace lightly when he started to fuss. "Your long-ago words to Joyce were spot on. I wasn't checking out Flint, I was trying to figure out the story behind his tattoo. It must've taken hours of being poked with needles to get something that big and that detailed done."

Flint glanced down at Jace. "I'd guess it was less painful and less time than having one of those."

"That's proof of how attracted to Ranger I am. I've had two kids but zero tattoos."

"He's lucky you feel that way."

"I am," I told them.

Since Stephanie made it a topic of conversation, I studied his ink. The scene appeared to be an exact replica of a much-loved photo. There being two young boys sitting on the edge of a dock with a golden retriever between them, helped to validate the photo guess.

"You and Geo?" I asked him.

He glanced at his arm and was quiet for a few beats. Jace's 'Aye' in response to Stephanie asking him if he's doing okay snapped Flint back to the present.

"Yeah. It was a photo taken during one of our summer vacations in the Rockies. Even if I'm not in his life, I wanted Geo to be a fixture in mine."

"Have you talked to him yet?" Steph asked.

"No." I knew he didn't want to discuss his brother, so it wasn't a surprise when he changed the subject. "So, this Grandma Mazur person, is she really a grandma or is she just old?"

"I'd refrain from using the 'O' word in relation to Edna unless you want an up close and personal meeting with Elsie," Bobby advised. "Gene said you were all hanging out down here. What's going on?"

"The usual," Steph answered. "Flint was working out solo, I'm getting ready to get Olive, Ranger almost offed the most recent asshole to give me trouble …"

"Polace?" Brown asked.

"Yup."

"But you already handed him his own ass. And Cal took pretty good care of idiot number 2."

My wife nodded, smiling when Jace moved his head too. "That's what I was reminding the Boss. Then Flint tried to sneak out of the building."

"There's no sneaking in this building, Babe. There are cameras everywhere."

"I know," she said, proving that by turning towards the one trained on us and used our son's hand to wave to the control room. "But it's rare for guys to head to the gym alone unless they're purposely trying to avoid human interaction."

"I wasn't avoiding or sneaking," Flint stated. "I'm not a fan of working out, but I know it's necessary, so I was getting it over with and getting out as quickly as possible."

"Good answer. One I've actually used myself. I can't believe I'm going to say this, cover your ears guys," Steph told me and Bobby. "If that's true and you're not really trying to remain a loner, workouts do go by a lot faster when you have a gym buddy."

"And is Edna's 'buddy' Elsie?"

Brown was smiling wide enough to perform a dental exam on him. "No, Dude. Elsie's a 45 Long barrel. Edna is Stephanie's Grandmother … Jace's Great-grandmother. But she's since been adopted by everyone in the building. She's fun once you get used to her."

"And she has a weapon she named?"

"Yeah. Steph used to keep her revolver in a cookie jar, so unique thinking is in the bloodline."

"That's the politest way I've ever heard us described. Are you coming tonight?" Steph asked Flint. "I'm assuming Ranger told you about the now annual party my dad's girlfriend throws for Halloween."

"You know what I've told you about assuming things," I said in response.

"That doesn't apply to you, Batman. I know you and how you go out of your way to keep your people safe. If the guys are hanging out at Aideen's, they won't be targets for drunk idiots trying to make a name for themselves by picking a fight with them."

I did issue an invite to Flint, but it's clear from his expression that he didn't get the memo Steph is referring to. The downside of being the best is that you do become a walking target for anyone thinking that provoking you earns them street cred. Flint being new to the game makes him more vulnerable to young and dumb fuckers looking for a tag line.

"I did extend an invitation," I told my wife. "He said he'll think about it."

Steph's blue eyes landed on him. "And did you make up your mind?"

He shrugged. "I'm not really a holiday guy."

"Yeah, neither is Ranger but this is our third year celebrating everything. You'll have fun even if you don't care about Halloween. The guys are always a good time." She turned her attention to me. "I want to see all the kids' costumes, so you have a choice. Do you wanna come with me and Jace or stay here with him … unless you have someone else to threaten? The guy at the bakery sighed when he heard my big breakfast order, you wanna 'have a talk' with him too for being impatient and slightly rude."

"I could, but then we'd be late. I'll drive."

I took Jace from her and enjoyed how excited he and his limbs get every time he hears my voice or sees my face close to his own. Stephanie was already in the passenger's seat by the time I got our son buckled into his car seat.

Both of my girls went conservative in their preschool costume attire today. Olivia wanted to save her official one for the big reveal tonight at Aideen's so Steph just braided our baby's hair into two upright triangles and drew some whiskers and a black dot nose on Olivia so she could go as a cat in her all-black dress and tights. Steph didn't want to scare or show up the kids in Olivia's class, so she went with a simple T-shirt to capture the spirit of the holiday that says 'BOO' far too aggressively.

We didn't have to scan the classroom for Olive, she spotted us first. "I got the candy!" She shouted, sticking both arms high in the air fisting a bag of cavity-fuel in each hand.

"Oooh, let me see," her Mama said. Since I'm holding Jace this time, she was able to root around and make an accurate assessment of the candy haul. "You got all the good stuff. High-five."

They smacked palms and I felt the need to speak up. "Neither of you are eating that for dinner."

If our daughter wasn't watching, Stephanie would've stuck her tongue at me for trying to tell her what she can and can't eat. Thankfully, we're on the same page when it comes to wanting our daughter to live a long, happy life, so she doesn't contradict me when it comes to promoting healthy eating habits with our children.

"But we can choose one or two for dessert," my wife assured both of them.

"You may not want any of that when you start trying to imagine what Aideen and Ella have made for the party."

"Darn. Daddy has a point," Steph said. "They'll try to top last year. We should probably get there early. So … we go home, have lunch and naps, and get you and Jace into your costumes."

Olivia's face lit up. "I wear my princess dress for the peoples."

"I guarantee Uncle Cal will approve," I told my baby, thinking of the flaming skull tattoo he has taking up half of his own skull.

Steph glanced at me. "Did he tell you what Remy is coming as tonight?"

"Yes. A skunk."

My wife sighed. "Did he leave off the important part of why they made that decision?"

"No. He shared that Kenzie has a sense of humor worse than yours."

"I gotta tell her that. She'll take it as a compliment."

"Remy be a stinky?" Olivia asked as Steph helped her slide her backpack onto her shoulders.

"Technically, a skunk. But you're not far off. Aunt Kenzie and Uncle Cal call Remy their little stinker … so a skunk named 'Stinker' it is."

Our daughter pinched her nose closed. "They pee-yoo puppies."

"Only if you scare them. Hopefully we won't have to test that out on the walk to see Grandpa Plum and Aideen. It's not usually warm enough to go coat-free in October, and I'm looking forward to this kind of workout."

She wasn't exaggerating. As soon as the kids were up from their naps, Stephanie was ready to break out the costumes. My parents hinted that they wanted to spend the evening with their grandkids, so we decided to take them - along with Gunny and Mo - with us. I pity any health inspector stupid enough to take Aideen on.

"They don't got no Halloweens," my daughter announced after scrutinizing our mutts just as we were set to leave.

Even being one of her favorite people didn't get me off the hook. To placate her, I switched out my Rangeman shirt for one that read 'SECURITY' and told her I'd be attending the party tonight as their bodyguard. The dimples she flashed me had me smiling at how easy she is to please.

"The boys don't need costumes," I said because Mo and Gunny can't speak for themselves. "They'll get teased at the dog park if they leave with more than a leash on them."

"Don't be so dramatic, Carlos," my mother scolded. "I'm sure we can come up with something."

By we, she meant her. And she did. Taking two of the spooky-themed cloth napkins she'd brought with the pumpkin cheesecake she'd made for Stephanie, and tying them like bandanas over the boys' collars.

"Now we can go," my mother determined.

She refused to let me carry either of my children, though Olivia being a 'big girl' wanted to make it under her own steam to the café that had been transformed into a haunted house for the night.

We had only stepped into the building when Edna appeared in front of us, dressed as Medusa wearing what I'd call a green, gold-belted toga. "There's my Jace-y boy."

"He looks adorable, doesn't he?" Mama Manoso replied.

"Grandma Mazur and Mama Manoso worked together to knit Jace this costume," Steph explained to the uncles who had been listening to the exchange. "Ranger only agreed to that idea if they could come up with something that didn't cover his face or restrict his arms and legs. So … he's a knitted - and really squishy - baby penguin tonight."

"What's she supposed to be?" Atlas had to ask, jerking his thumb in the direction Olivia ran off to.

As soon as my daughter saw Harper and Angel waving at her, she made a beeline for them. I think being close to Angelique had Olivia okay with getting a little brother instead of a baby sister.

"Isn't it obvious?" She asked back.

I thought Stephanie and Lester, even Atlas, would be hard to manage, but One Shot has mastered the annoying brother role in my wife's life.

"No."

My wife sighed and then smiled when she spotted Olivia twirling in a circle in front of Frank and Aideen to show off the full width of her dress.

"I forgot that you have no imagination on top of zero sense of humor. Olive is a skeleton princess. The black ball gown airbrushed with a full human body of bones should've made that clear."

"Right … a gothic prom dress equals 'Skeleton Princess'. Got it."

"Olive's Momma wanted to be an intergalactic princess when she was a kid," Lester informed him. "You kinda have to expect a creative twist being applied to your typical costume."

Atlas looked at the ballet flats on Olivia's little feet. If his girlfriend hadn't taken ballet when she was a child, I doubt he'd have enough knowledge for a follow-up question. I only know clothing or shoe styles from hearing my ladies discuss them.

"Why isn't she a Skeleton Ballerina?" One Shot posed to my wife.

"Because she's wearing a princess dress."

"But ballerina shoes," he countered.

"She rules the Rangeman Kingdom, something a ballerina can't do."

"Neither can a princess. She should've gone with Skeleton Queen. Princesses are just collateral damage in the parents' attempt to stay in power."

"Hey, Olive!" She called. "Can you come over here for a second!?"

She did and pirouetted in front of Atlas so he could see her costume in all its glory. My wife pointed a warning finger at him. "Don't even," she ordered before turning to Edna, knowing he was going to comment on the ballet move. "Sorry, Grandma. I need to borrow this." She took the crown of snakes off Edna's head and placed it on our daughter's. "You just got a promotion, Olive. You're now an all-powerful Skeleton Queen."

"I got crown power!" She shouted, embracing the role enthusiastically.

"You do, but we don't let power go to our heads."

"Too late," I said, watching her go back to holding court in front of her unsuspecting subjects.

"Gotta admit, that was a clever cop-out," One Shot stated.

"One day soon you'll learn to stop talking while you're ahead. That was a clever improvision, not a cop-out." Although she seriously debated leaving it at home, Steph's cell chose that moment to make her bucket of popcorn costume ring. Her eyebrows went up after she checked the screen. "It's Eddie," she told me.

"Isn't he working tonight?"

That question had my instincts sparking.

"Yup," she told me before answering.

Her shoulders sagged and her eyes darted towards me and then away twice. Those aren't positive signs.

"It's Flint," she said as quietly as she could in a place filled with people, too much talking, and music. "Eddie said he was just hauled into the police station, cuffed and cursing."