As always, thank you so much for reading, and especially for your reviews.

Up For It

I drove to my parent's house to pick up my grandma. Carlos was in Newark and had originally intended to come to Trenton to collect me for our dinner date. But a last-minute issue had arisen in Miami, and he had been on teleconference with Marco and Tank for most of the afternoon. I had told Carlos that I would collect grandma and take her with me to Newark; we would meet Carlos at the restaurant at six. Carlos intended to follow me back to Trenton after dinner.

Grandma was waiting at the door, almost bouncing in excitement. She was wearing a sparkly, red dress that was really too short and showcased her knobbly knees. Still, I could tell she was thrilled to be dressed up, so I simply told her she looked lovely and asked her if she wanted a jacket. She picked up a light wrap and her bag, and we headed off to Newark. We were eating early since grandma was used to eating at six o'clock. Since it was a Thursday night, and I was tired from studying and attending classes three nights a week, I was happy that we would be able to head back relatively early.

Study and classes were going well. We were in the fourth week of the course and my class worksheets had all been marked really well so far. Tricia was becoming a real friend, as we bonded over the coursework. Tricia worked on Saturday mornings until noon, so I had been going to meet her at twelve-thirty to have lunch together, and then head to the college to finish the worksheets and complete the extra exercises. It usually only took us a couple of hours and then we could relax until the Tuesday nights. I was learning a lot, and now felt much more confident with using my computer. My typing skills had improved as well. When we were learning about the word processors, I had used my experience in creating the business plan to answer the assessment with practical examples. It had earned me an A+, and I was thrilled. Carlos told me, after I had finished the course, he thought I should put together a training program for the Rangeman staff, so they could all be more computer literate and able to use programs like Word and email in future. I was excited about it and looked forward to passing on what I had been learning.

Tricia and I had decided that we would go and see a movie on Sunday evening together. Most of my evenings and nights were spent with Carlos these days, but I was secretly delighted to have a female friend to spend time with. Mary Lou Stankovic, who had been my bestie since we were in diapers, would always be my best friend. But these days, ML was busy with her kids, attending PTA meetings and play dates, and we didn't have a lot of time to spend together. Tricia was a great friend to just chat to, and we could go and see a sappy romance movie together that Carlos was sure to avoid. We were tossing up between While You Were Sleeping and Clueless.

As we drove to Newark, grandma chatted happily about her bingo friends and her latest visits to the funeral parlour for viewings. If I live to be a hundred myself, I don't think I will ever understand my grandma's fascination with viewing dead bodies of people she hardly knew. But I was happy that she was happy and had an active life. It kept her young at heart. As we drove into Newark, grandma started asking me about the food at the restaurant, and I tried to describe the kinds of choices we would have and what they might taste like. My own experience was limited to the barbecue experience I had last time. But I did my best.

We pulled up and I managed to get a park right beside a black Ford Ranger that I knew belonged to Carlos. I gathered my bag and got out of the car, in time to see Carlos opening my grandma's door and helping her out of the car. He greeted her with a kiss on her cheek, and she blushed and giggled. Still, she was Grandma Mazur, and as he turned to offer her his arm, she reached out and groped his backside firmly. I saw him freeze in shock and had to choke down the guffaws that threatened to erupt at his look of shock and horror at being groped by my grandma. I broke down completely when I thought he should be grateful it was his backside and not his front! He shot me an offended look as I laughed at his discomfort, and then he regained some composure to firmly tuck grandma's hands into his elbow and start to escort her towards the restaurant door. He ignored me walking behind them and still chortling at the events.

Carlos seemed to relax when we were all seated, placing himself on the opposite side of the table from grandma, and holding my seat politely. I paused taking my seat to reach up and caress his cheek in apology for my laughter and to kiss him gently. He relented to lean down and return the kiss gently on my lips. The server came over to introduce himself, and Carlos ordered a bottle of white wine, a Sauvignon Blanc from California. We sipped at our glasses as we perused the menu, and I reminded myself to be careful. My low tolerance for alcohol was legendary, and I had to drive back to Trenton tonight.

At Carlos' advice, we settled on a set menu of Teppanyaki chicken, beef, and scallops. Carlos also ordered a sample plate of sashimi and another of tempura vegetables for us to try. The tempura was delicious; I think if you have to eat vegetables then that's the best way to do it. I was very hesitant to try the sashimi, I didn't think I could possibly enjoy raw fish. But the delicate fish was thinly sliced and served with ginger and spicy wasabi, and I really enjoyed the little bites. It tasted fresh, like the ocean. Grandma seemed to enjoy everything, listening avidly to the descriptions of the food, and looking around her, seeming to soak up every detail possible. I knew she would be sharing every moment of the experience with her pals at the Cut 'n' Curl salon as soon as possible.

A week after our dinner taking grandma to the restaurant, I stood in Carlos' apartment in Newark, trying to hold myself together, while the lump in my throat swelled alarmingly. Carlos was standing before me, dressed in full Ranger mode in black, armed to invade a small country, and watching me solemnly. "Babe," he murmured, "I'll be fine, it'll be fine." He moved forward to take me into his arms and I fought not to break down in tears. I was determined not to cry, although I knew that resolution would not last after he left.

I took a deep breath, "I know, Carlos. But please be careful. Please. For me? Come home to me, and don't get shot."

He kissed the top of my head, "I promise, Babe. And you'll be ok too, right? Call Marco or Tank if you need anything. Lester will be here tomorrow to pick up the two outstanding skips for Vinnie. He'll take my truck and follow you to Trenton so you can brief him, and he can start surveillance. He'll stay here in my apartment until the jobs are done. Then, Tank is coming up next week with our potential investor to look at the two buildings and meet with you about the business plan. His name is Ramon Acosta and he's a nice man. His grandfather was best friends with my great uncle in Miami."

I nodded. We had already covered most of these details but were both clinging onto any excuse to keep holding each other for as long as we could. "I remember, Carlos. I'm looking forward to meeting Lester and Tank in person. Should I call him Tank, though? Shouldn't I call him by his name when we're meeting with Mr Acosta?"

Carlos chuckled, "Babe, nobody calls Tank by his name, including Ramon. Tank hates his name."

I looked up at him and lifted my eyebrows. He grinned. "Pierre Broussard. But you didn't hear that from me."

I giggled slightly, "Ok, Tank it is."

Carlos continued, "If Lester flirts with you too much, tell him I'll break both his legs when I get back." I giggled again at that. I had spoken to Lester once on the phone and he had been flirting with me within about two minutes of conversation.

Carlos leaned down and kissed me deeply, and then kissed me again. "I have to go, Babe."

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you to the airport?"

"No, Babe. I'd rather remember you right here in my apartment."

"I'll miss you, Carlos," I whispered.

"Me too, Babe. Don't go crazy."

I heard the door close behind me and finally gave into the misery that threatened to consume me. I sent up a small prayer to a God I never prayed to, to please send Carlos home safe to me.

The next morning, I went to a nearby café for breakfast and to pick up two cups of coffee to go, before driving to the airport to pick up Lester. I stood at the luggage collection, where I had agreed to wait. Carlos had described Lester Santos to me as tall, with short, blonde-tipped hair, and green eyes. I knew he was Carlos' cousin, so I guessed he would also be Latino. The man striding toward me was gorgeous. His skin was Mediterranean-dark, not quite as obviously Latino as Carlos, and his green eyes and white teeth shone with a vivid grin. He was carrying a small bag and strode right up to me to sling his other arm around my shoulders and grin down at me. "Steph!" he exclaimed. "It's so good to see you."

I shook my head, smiling, and handed him the second coffee cup which he took, forcing him to remove his arm. He grinned at me again as he sipped at the black coffee; I had guessed his preference. He waggled his eyebrows at me and said, "So, Ranger agreed I should stay at your apartment with you."

I looked at him dumbfounded, before realising he was teasing me. So, I answered, "Ranger told me that he would break both your legs if you flirt too much."

He laughed out loud at that. "He can try," Lester said smoothly. I led him out to my car, and we drove back to Carlos' apartment. Lester was chatty and flirty, but I could see it was all intended to be in fun. At Carlos's apartment, Lester dumped his bag in the bedroom, before going to Carlos' gun safe and punching in the code. He drew out two guns and strapped them on. I was just amazed there were any guns left in there after Carlos had armed himself before leaving yesterday.

We went back down to the garage, where I gave Lester the keys to Carlos' Ford Ranger and told him I would meet him on the street, where he would follow me to Trenton. I drove straight to our office and led Lester up the stairs to unlock our offices. Carlos had left the two FTA files laid out on his desk in the inner office. Lester sat in Carlos's chair to read through the files, and I added some thoughts and ideas I had discussed with Carlos before he left.

David Estoni had been on a grand theft auto spree and had made the mistake of car-jacking the niece of the Mayor of Trenton. This had earned him a $700,000 bond and his collateral to Vinnie was his parents' house in Hamilton Township. I doubted they wanted to forego their rather palatial home, but Dave's life was not looking hot if he was convicted, so he took off. His parents had, reluctantly, given me a list of his friends and family, and I had a strong suspicion he was holed up either in his grandmother's basement in the Burg, or couch-surfing around his friends. Either way, Lester was going to have to do some surveillance before he tracked him down. I was willing to help as well, and Lester took me up on the offer.

The other bond was not as high. Miguel Alonzo was a gang member who lived in a really crappy part of town. He'd been found with a rather unfortunate amount of meth and manufacturing equipment and had been charged with everything the DA could throw at him. His bond was $250,000 and I suspected he was just not intending to show up for any court appearances, hoping he could just disappear back into gangland anonymity. Hector had helped Carlos track down a few places he might be hanging out, and it was probably just a matter of patience to see where he would show up. Hector was going to help Lester with the takedown, knowing that there was a likelihood of other gang members taking offence.

After chatting for several more minutes, we headed out. I was going to take Lester somewhere for lunch. Hector had suggested to Carlos that a place called 'Shorty's' had excellent pizza and Les was keen to try it out. I was less keen, knowing where the restaurant was located, but I realised it might be a place we could keep an eye out for Alonzo. So, two birds, and all that. Besides, I love pizza.

Shorty's was a bit of a dive, and in a pretty awful part of town, but the place looked clean enough and the pizza when it came was really good. We both enjoyed our greasy treat and chatted like old friends as we watched the clientele. From the looks we drew, I concluded that I would not be returning here alone. After we finished our meal, Lester paid the check, and we moved out to start our surveillance on Lester's skips. Lester dropped me back at the office and said he was going to start checking places for Alonzo, while I was going to try and sweet-talk Estoni's grandmother to try and find out if he she was hosting him.

I sat outside Estoni's grandmother's row house in the Burg. It was another entirely typical Burg house, and I was trying to come up with an excuse to talk to Mrs Estoni and to find out if he was there. I knew he was a couple of years older than me, so eventually I decided to go with the old reunion excuse. I moved up to knock on her door, and after a couple of minutes, she came to open it. "Hello Mrs Estoni," I started, "My name is Stacy, I went to school with your grandson David. I'm organising our class reunion, and I'm trying to get a current address for Dave. I went to his parent's house, but they said he wasn't living there anymore. I wondered if you had a current address for him?"

Mrs Estoni looked suspicious, with maybe just a hint of frightened, and my spidey sense was pinging. She said, "No, I don't. He recently moved out of state, and I don't have his new address. I'm surprised his parents didn't tell you." She fixed me with a gimlet eye.

I tried to look breezy and unconcerned, "Oh they did, Mrs Estoni. Sorry if I was confusing. I guess I just hoped someone had his address. I remember from school that Dave was close to his grandma; he always spoke about you fondly. I just hoped he might have told you before he contacted his parents." I tried to force a small blush and looked down at my shoes in feigned shyness, "I… I was just really hoping to catch up with Dave at the reunion. I kinda had a crush on him back in school, you know?"

Her look of suspicion did seem to clear slightly, but I couldn't miss the way her eyes flicked towards a door in the hall. I suspected it led to the basement. She answered, "Well I'm sorry, but I doubt he would be able to attend the reunion. Like I said, he's moved out of state."

I looked as disappointed as I could, "Oh, well I'm sorry to hear that. Thanks for your time, though. If you hear from him, please tell him Stacy said hi, and to look me up if he comes back." She murmured goodbyes, and I moved down the path to the street, and got into my car. Mrs Estoni was still standing at the door, watching me, so I waved and drove off. I was now relatively certain that Estoni was living in his grandmother's basement, but how to make 100 percent sure? I drove around the block and parked in a side street, well away from Mrs Estoni's prying eyes or those of her neighbours.

I got out of my car, and walked casually along the street, slowly making my way back towards the street behind Mrs Estoni. The row houses were set back-to-back with another set of row houses on the other side, and I was hoping I could somehow get a view into the back of the yard, but I wasn't sure how. Luckily, there was a laneway beside the row houses back-to-back with Mrs Estoni, and I slipped carefully up the laneway and stood concealed under a large, drooping tree to observe the houses behind the chain-link fence. I counted them off and figured out that Mrs Estoni was the second house up from where I was standing. There were some bushes in the backyard that, unfortunately, obscured the view of the outside of the house. I guessed there would be an external entry to the basement though, so I settled in to watch for a while to see if there was any movement. I saw some flickers through the windows of someone moving around behind the curtains upstairs, but for nearly half an hour, that was the only signs of life.

I was just starting to think this would be a bust when the sound of a squeaky hinge opening caught my ear. I had to stifle a gasp as I saw David Estoni emerge from behind a bush and move toward the fence. I hastily moved to slip further behind the tree and squat down behind some scraggly geraniums as he moved toward the laneway. I should have guessed he might be using the laneway for access himself, since he could not get between the row houses to the front street, but I just tried to keep myself as hidden as I could. Luckily, he appeared preoccupied and didn't pay much attention to his surroundings as he stepped over the low fence and walked down the laneway to the street. I supposed he had a car stashed somewhere, but I was not confident I could catch him or detain him, so I decided not to follow him. I waited several more minutes, before standing and easing down the laneway myself. At the street, I looked around cautiously, but could not see him anywhere, so I moved towards the street where my car was parked. I was thrilled that my surveillance had paid off; now to get Lester to pick him up!

I drove back to the office, riding high on my success. In the office, I called Lester's cell phone and waited impatiently for him to answer. "Yo," came the greeting.

"Yo, yourself," I replied. "Guess what?"

"What's up, Steph?"

"I found David Estoni!" I babbled excitedly. "I talked to his grandmother, fed her a line about looking for him for a class reunion. She didn't tell me where he was, but the way she acted made me really suspect he was there. So, I parked away from the house and walked back to watch from behind the row of houses. Half an hour later he came out and walked right past me to go somewhere. I couldn't take him down myself, but I know where you can wait for him to come back!" I finally stopped babbling and took a couple of breaths.

"Wow, Steph, that's great," Lester's reply was impressed. "Do you think he'll come back today?"

"Well, I don't know, really. I guess so? Maybe I should have waited there for him… But I didn't have a cell phone and I needed to call you."

I could hear the frown in Lester's voice, "Well, we'll have to fix that. Ranger must have overlooked that. Ok, here's the deal; I'll come and pick you up from the office, and we'll head back over there. You can show me the house and the setup at the back, and we'll figure out what we will do." I agreed and gathered up my stuff to head downstairs, after visiting the restroom. Since I didn't know how long we would be waiting and watching, I ducked into the deli to grab a couple of bottles of water and a bag of chips.

When Lester arrived, I jumped into the passenger seat and directed him to the street Mrs Estoni lived on. We cruised slowly past her house, and I directed Lester around the block to the rear. We paused at the laneway, and I described the setup there, and what I had done. He nodded and moved up the street to a vacant park. Lester said, "Ok, I'll walk back and get myself set up in the laneway. I'll wait a little while, and if he doesn't come back, I'll slip into the yard to check the situation out. You drive around and find a park somewhere to watch the front. Try not to park anywhere too obviously visible, and just stay in the truck. If you see Estoni, drive around the block and beep your horn as you pass the laneway. I'll know that's a signal that he's coming in the front. You then head back to the front again. If you see him rabbiting out the front, follow him. If you think you can stop him, do it, but don't get hurt. Ranger will kill me if you get injured, so don't take any risks. Do you have any cuffs?"

I looked at him blankly. He sighed, 'Handcuffs. I take it that's a no?" I shook my head. He reached over an opened the glove compartment. Fortunately, there was a spare pair of handcuffs in there. He handed them to me. "If you can take him down, cuff his hands behind his back. I'm guessing you also don't have a gun?"

I gasped at this, "No! I mean, I've never even held a gun."

Lester looked surprised, "I thought Ranger would have you armed to the teeth by now. Oh well. He reached down and pulled the gun from his ankle holster. He considered me for a moment, before unloading it. He said, "I'm giving this to you so you can threaten Estoni if you see him. No bullets, so you can't actually shoot him, but at least you can't shoot yourself either." He smirked at me, and I stuck my tongue out at him. But secretly, I was glad he had taken out the bullets. I probably would have been more likely to shoot myself than David Estoni. He went on, "If Estoni comes around the back, I'll take him down and cuff him, but I'll need you to come back to pick us up. So, listen for a whistle. I can whistle pretty loudly; I'll do two whistles every few minutes until you come and get me."

I agreed to Lester's plan and offered him one of the bottles of water. He took it gratefully and slipped off down the street toward the laneway. I moved around to the driver's side and started the truck to move the truck back into the street in front. I really hoped Estoni came back home the same way he left. I was not confident I could do this takedown at all. Even so, I was controlling my urge to squirm in excitement at the thought of my first effort at being a bounty hunter.

AN: I had a reviewer question Steph using work examples in her study assignments. I work in a university, so I may have made assumptions based on my own knowledge. But just to assure you, Steph is not using any confidential information, just her experiences in using computers to highlight practical examples in her assessment.

So Steph's getting into a bit of bounty hunting. I'm not keen on the whole 'Steph the klutz being the world's luckiest bounty hunter' trope from canon, so I don't intend to turn her into the bumbling buffoon. She'll recognise her limits and participate in a more effective way.