Have you ever felt like you weren't in your body? Like your body was still sitting there and breathing, but you weren't in it. Thats how I felt. Tank was still talking - a miracle really- and I'm pretty sure I was nodding along but I was a spectator who was barely paying attention. The world was numb.

I'm not sure how long I sat there before the world snapped back into focus. I hated it. I wanted to go back to the void where nothing mattered, because now all I felt was fear and horror. I was wrapped in a blanket and Tank had moved over by the door where he was talking rapidly into his phone. God damn it… I had worried him and he was probably-okay definitely- telling Ranger. This was just more evidence for them that I couldn't handle it.

Okay, time to get your shit together Steph. I told myself.

Fact 1- My stalker had once again been in my immediate vicinity and not been identified.

Fact 2- He was threatening not just me, but my friends

Fact 3- Someone had been murdered immediately after being near me.

Fact 4- He had left the body at Rangeman - without being noticed, and showing that he knew exactly where I was staying.

So slightly terrifying but I forced myself to breathe in. I can't panic again. I quickly stood up and ran to my purse, desperately rooting around. Tank bolted to attention at my sudden action but I ignored him, triumphantly pulling our a pack of emergency tasty cakes. God I love sugar. I think I heard Tank snort but when I looked at him, he was standing blank faced. I shot him a glare in warning before inhaling my treat. Now I feel much more in control. I was safe. There was no way he could get me in Rangeman and the men would be on high alert.

I had just opened up my second tasty cake, when the back of my neck started tingling and I knew Ranger had just come in. I quickly took a bite before turning to look. He was talking to Tank but his eyes were glued on me. Ranger and Tank did one of those manly handshakes that I can never figure out and Tank left the apartment, closing the door behind him. "Babe." He said gently tracing a finger over my bruised cheek and looking in my eyes.

"I'm fine. A skip got in a blow but the guys had my back." I told him, leaning into his touch. I was glad that he hadn't come in 5 minutes earlier and witnessed my shutdown. "Please, tell me what's happening."

"Those things will kill you." He said gesturing to my treat. I bit my lip to stop from mentioning they wouldn't have time to at this rate but he must have picked up on it since his lips twitched into a grimace for a second before straightening out. "Tank said he told you the basics. We don't have a lot to build on that yet. The police are here and Morelli is on the case." I hated that Joe was involved but it was a homicide now and Eddie was in uniform. "The body has been identified as Duncan Underhill. He was at the police station to bail out his uncle Tom Underhill. Either of those names mean anything to you?" I shook my head and he passed over the photo of all of us at the station. I studied the photo, my eyes drawn to the red targets drawn over my friends before focusing on Duncan.

"He was coming out when we arrived… he held the door and smiled at me. But I don't think I've ever seen him before that." I muttered. He had seemed nice, I remember thinking he had a nice smile and he hadn't shied away from Hal. Now he was dead, just to make a point that this guy could have taken me. I thought harder. Based on the photo, he had to have been within 5 meters of us which would have put him in the parking lot.

Ranger nodded. "Hal and Manny confirmed that interaction, and recalled a taxi in the general vicinity."

"Please tell me he's on camera?" He had to be, I thought, both the police station and Rangeman had cameras all around their building.

"Nothing of him at the station, but we were able to track Duncan. He got in the cab but the licence plates and ident number were stolen, and the driver isn't visible. The cab pulled up at rangeman and the suspect had to get out to place the body." Ranger pulled up the video on his phone and I watched as the cab parked and the driver got out and hauled the body from the back seat. The body was placed carefully in the doorway and he lingered to pin the note in place before standing up and climbing in the cab. The whole thing took 3 minutes.

"Why didn't the guys on duty come out?" I asked confused.

Ranger wiped a hand across his mouth annoyed. "Unfortunately there was an incident on the floor and our guy on monitors was assisting. When he got back to the station and saw the body, the suspect was gone."

I could feel his frustration in the space between us. His domain had been defiled and I knew that infuriated him. "I'm sorry to do this to you, Babe but you need to stay in the building until we catch this guy. He's escalating rapidly and yet he's not standing out to any of my men." His jaw was set and I could see him bracing for a fight. I stepped into his space and wrapped my arms around him.

"I understand." I whispered as I squeezed his torso. His body froze for a second before relaxing in my arms. "Its not just me at risk anymore, he's actively threatening your men. I couldn't live with myself if they got hurt just because I wanted to leave the building."

Ranger squeezed me back and kissed the top of my head. "Thank you Babe. We're going to find this guy. I promise you."

There was a knock at the door and Ranger disentangled himself to go answer it. Tank was back and they had a brief conversation before Ranger came back to me. "Morelli needs to get a statement from you. If you are up to it, we will go to one of our meeting rooms and fill him in."

It took awhile to fill Joe in on the whole situation, not helped by the fact that he went on a few Italian rants. When we told him about the sleeping photos, he actually left the room to calm down. It was during this time that my phone rang. Ranger gestured for me to answer it and I hit speakerphone so he could hear the conversation.

"Stephanie…. You've upset me but I'm ready to forgive you."

"I've upset you?" I choked.

"Last time we spoke you were very rude to me. You hung up on me."

Ranger quickly hit the mute button. "Babe, I need you to keep him calm and talking. Play along with him."

I grit my teeth but nodded. "Right, sorry about that. I was surprised and half asleep."

"And now you are staying with HIM. I don't like that Stephanie. I can protect you better than him. I gave you pictures of my competition so that you could see that I will do anything to protect you." I thought of the bloody photos and cringed. "And when that wasn't enough for you, I brought you the body."

"The guy from the station? Why was he competition?' I asked carefully.

"He dared to smile at you! I could see his interest in you and you are mine! Well I showed him what happens when you touch my things. And those men you have following you around are next. They're just waiting for their chance to touch you but I'll show them."

"No! I mean they're not a threat to you. Honestly they are barely even friends. Nothing happening there." I said desperately.

"Alright Cupcake - let's get this finished so I can find some antacids." Joe said as he swung the door open, looking up too late to catch my frantic waves for silence.

"Who was that Stephanie?" Came the snarl through the phone.

Joe winced apologetically and his eyes hardened, but his voice was calm as he responded. "This is detective Joe Morelli. Who is this?"

"Fucking Morelli. It's always been Morelli. That asshole has been after you since high school, blinding you to the one who was meant for you. Didn't you learn from the first time! I won't stay in his shadow anymore. You'll see!" The phone went silent.