HELLOOOO! So, I'm back. It's been a while, no? I know I promised you guys a new story in August of *gasp* last year and I didn't deliver. This is that story, but it took me until now to get the first chapter right! I know what I want to do and I know what I want to write, but that first chapter is always a killer for me. That's why whenever I start a paper for school, I start in the middle and do the intro last. Plus once school started (3 graduate classes... one being the equivalent to a speeding train and if you missed something you were dead in the water...) plus 32 hours a week at work plus finding time to read for pleasure plus sleeping equals no time for me to write :(. But now I'm taking 2 classes (one is online) and I'm working a few less hours (yay!), I actually have *gasp again* free time (free time? what's that?)! So in between reading for pleasure (if you guys could see the list I have plus the stack of books on my bed... they know my name at the library!), work, slightly less school (but its STILL graduate school, so there may be gaps between chapters) and volunteering again (which I'm really happy I got to do again), I will be posting on this story. And you guys know me well enough by now (or at least you SHOULD), I finish what I start. So don't get nervous if I disappear for a few weeks. It either means I got stuck with school, no time and the muse has run away for a vacation (honestly, after all the snow we've gotten, I wouldn't blame her), or trying to finish one of the amazing books I have.

Now that the authors note is ten times longer than the first chapter (don't worry, they'll get longer)... I'll let you get to it. This is going to be AU. Most of the people in this story will have the same job, but it's not in cannon. So if you're looking for one that is more cannon, I understand if you want to leave and read another one of my stories that is or someone different.

If you don't like it, don't read it. I'm not forcing you to sit there and read. I write to relieve stress and to entertain. No other reasons. You know what you like, not me.

And finally, no Beta was used, so any mistakes are mine. Be free to giggle, but please let me know if it makes a big impact in the story. This will be a Babe story. Joe will not be hurt, but bear with me to get there (you'll see what I mean in later chapters).

None of the characters are mine, although I would love a night with Ranger in a locked bedroom and a bottle of hot fudge...

The room was cold and they knew it. The two men in black suits continued to watch her shiver, but unwilling to help. It wasn't their place to help her. The only person that could help her now was herself.

The first man was Special Agent Robert Gordon. He was mid-fifties, fit, with salt and pepper hair. The other agents said that his green eyes saw everything. They all thought it was unnerving, but useful against the suspects. The second was much younger. Matt Farmer's tawny hair gleamed in the light and his smile made women swoon (and faint when he let his blue eyes twinkle). They had been partners for two years and still no one could figure out how it worked. Gordon was old school and Farmer was an out of the box thinker. But somehow, they got their cases solved, and solved quickly.

The door opened, and Supervisory Special Agent Tim Morrisey walked into the viewing room. Morrisey was aged somewhere between the two men. He had blonde hair and blue eyes, intelligent, but guarded. He wore a gray suit, appearing opposite of the other agents. He stood there, silent, watching the woman as the two others had. The men shifted uncomfortably.

"Has she said anything?" Agent Morrisey asked, finally breaking the awkward silence.

"Not a word. She didn't even ask for a lawyer like most people." Agent Gordon replied. "I blame TV."

"You'd blame the President, if you could." Farmer scoffed.

Gordon almost rolled his eyes. "As if. People these days watch too much tv. They immediately ask for a lawyer even when they don't know why we need to talk to them. If they're not in handcuffs, then they're usually not in trouble. But every time, they think they're in an episode of Law and Order."

"Dude, don't knock my show."

Gordon's eyes shifted to his partner. "You need a new show."

"Not likely."

Morrisey coughed and they became silent again. "You've got the folder?"

"Right here, boss." Farmer said, handing it over.

He took it and entered the room. "Ms. Plum? I'm Supervisory Special Agent Tim Morrisey. I just have a few questions for you."

Her eyes followed his movement, but she still didn't speak.

"Do you think he'll get her to talk?"

"Probably not. He's got a strong hold on her."

Gordon grunted. "If anyone can get her to talk, it'd be Morrisey."

"We'll see about that."

They tuned back into the conversation. "Look, you're not in trouble. We just need your help." He opened the folder and pulled out a picture. "Do you know this man?"

Her eyes flicked down, then back at Morrisey. Nothing.

"How about this man?" Another picture.

Nothing.

"This one?" The final picture went down.

She was still silent.

Morrisey sighed. "You can't help him if you don't talk to me."

Her eyes never wavered.

"Ranger is in over his head. We don't want to arrest him, but he needs our help before he goes too far and we can't help him." He pointed to the pictures. "Don't these men deserve justice? They were at the wrong place at the wrong time."

She blinked.

"You live a simple life, Ms. Plum and I know you want to get back to it. I'll talk to your boss. You'll get your job back with a raise. That's what you want, isn't it? Just help us out and you can go back."

Stephanie Plum finally spoke. "Go back?" For the first time, she smiled. "If I tell you what you want to know, and you can give me back my life?"

"Holy crap. He did it." Farmer said.

"I guess he did." Gordon replied, frowning.

"That's all you need to do, Ms. Plum. Just help us and we can help you both."

Stephanie looked at her hands. A pained look came onto her face. The men knew that she was feeling guilty for ratting out Ranger Manoso, but clearly she valued herself more than him.

Typical female.

When she pulled her head up, all three men were surprised. She was smiling again. Then she opened her mouth.

"Ranger is going to eat you for lunch."

And promptly shut back down.