Disclaimer: I do not own these characters – they belong to Janet Evanovich, I just like to play with them a little bit.

Warning: This is slash. So if you have a thing against male/male pairings (in particular Ranger/Joe) then don't complain or don't read.

Thank you everybody who reviewed – I'm glad that you're enjoying the fic so far. Reading your reviews is what really makes me want to keep on writing to finish this fic. I hope you enjoy this chapter, even if it is on the short side.

I may not be updating after this chapter for a while – I'm going to the middle of nowhere (which usually doesn't have internet) for work over a five week period – sorry. But I may be able to get internet, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Letters in Their Hands

Chapter Ten

I know the guys upstairs are watching me waiting in the garage for Morelli through the surveillance cameras. While Morelli was getting ready for our date I rang the Chief of the Trenton Police Department and gave him an update on what was happening. He's put out an order that any police officer who sees Rizzo is to detain him straight away, regardless of anything Rizzo says. Too bad the conversation became awkward, with the Chief trying to pry into what Morelli and I are to each other.

I obviously didn't answer – because I don't know yet myself.

The elevator dings and I can feel my eyes widening. Who knew Morelli would look so hot in a suit. All he needs is a fedora hat to finish off the outfit.

"Dude." Morelli is looking at me and raising an eyebrow, "I'm not the only who has picked up some of Steph's bad habits..."

Damn. I said that out loud. I shrug, "It's true though."

Morelli smirks in my direction. I gesture towards the Porsche and Morelli narrows his eyes slightly, taking in the fact that I'm packing some heat under my jacket.

"Are you carrying concealed Ranger?"

I keep my face blank, "Are you going to tell on me Morelli?"

He walks to the car and opens the passenger door. Looking bad towards me, while sliding into the seat he flashes me a cheeky grin, "I'll let it slide this time since you're paying for lunch."

Hmmm... I wonder what else I could get away with...

I really hate suits. But at least this one doesn't show my gun in its holster. And the fact that Ranger had a 'Steph-moment' and called me hot out loud definitely makes wearing this cursed suit worth it... Even if I do look like I belong in the Mafia. Fedora Hat indeed. Maybe I'll have to get one just to see Ranger's reaction...

I look up to watch Ranger across the table from me. He's eating with gusto, just like I am. This restaurant has fantastic food... I'll definitely have to come back sometime. Then again - if it means wearing a suit... I may check if they'll do takeaway instead. Ranger looks good in his suit – really good. His hair is pulled back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. The suit he is wearing was obviously made for him, and the white shirt contrasts nicely with his dark skin. As Steph taught me: Yum.

Looking around the restaurant I notice how full it is. While being a new restaurant in town, it is obvious word has gotten out about how good the food here is. There's even a band setting up on the stage. Steph would have definitely loved this. I look back towards Ranger, and he's watching me with a slight smile.

"I was just thinking how much Steph would have loved the food here."

He nods, "I was thinking the same thing. She would have been moaning so loud the chef in the kitchen would have heard her."

I can't help but laugh, "That's unquestionably true. Gosh – at first I was embarrassed by the moaning, but in the end I loved hearing it."

Ranger laughed, "The first time, I thought she was a bit wrong in the head. But now I can appreciate how much she loved food."

The band starts to play some jazzy swing music. Ranger and I are silent as we finish our meals. Slowly people are trickling onto the dance floor. Ranger notices me looking at the dancing couples.

"We can't both lead Morelli."

I smile at Ranger, tapping my hand quietly on the table in rhythm to the music. "At least not without some practice," Ranger's eyes widen slightly, "And please call me Joe, Ranger."

A slight smirk crosses Rangers lips, "We'll have to practice dancing sometime then Joe. And call me Ric."

Hmmm... The only person I ever know of who ever got to call Ranger by Ric was Steph and occasionally Tank, and always in private. It seems I have been elevated up a level.

"Ok Ric. I'll hold you to the dancing practice."

The waiter chose that moment to interrupt, handing Rang- Ric the check. I watched as Ric pulled out a credit card and handed it to the waiter.

As far as first dates go, that wasn't too bad. I open the door for Morel- Joe. "Is it strange that there is garbage truck parked next to your Porsche Ric?"

Garbage truck...? I step out the door, and see that Joe is correct. It is an odd place for a garbage truck to be parked...

Suddenly the garbage truck explodes. Joe and I drop to the ground. I watch at the truck flies into the air, to only crash on top of my Porsche.

Now I know how Steph felt watching so many of her cars blow up. Turning around I see Lester and Tank running towards us, and can hear sirens in the background. Tank is looking oddly at Joe, who is lying on his back on the pavement and can't seem to stop laughing hysterically.

It's not that funny. I really liked that Porsche.

Joe looks up to me where I am now sitting on the kerb of the pavement and puts one of his hands on my thigh – "I guess it's not only me who picked up Steph's bad car karma." This sends him off in hysterics again. I can't help but grin.

It seems I have picked up the bad car karma. Along with the thinking out loud.

I look back at Tank and Lester. Tank is as impassive as ever – but I can notice a tightening around his eyes which only happens when he's very amused. Lester on the other hand looks like he is going to burst, going slightly red in the face, and coughing to cover chuckles which have escaped from his mouth.

I bet he got this on film using his phone.

I'm drawn out of my thoughts by a police officer – Big Dog, asking me what happened. I sigh and pick myself up off the pavement, reaching down to help Joe who is still silently laughing.

We all give our statements to Big Dog and Eddie, who can't stop grinning throughout the whole process. They even clapped Joe on the back, Eddie stating, "Well at least it's not only you Joe."

Walking back towards one of the Rangeman SUV's I catch a glimpse of blue out of the corner of my eye. I direct Joe's attention towards what looked like Big Blue turning a corner. "Was that Big Blue?"

Joe shakes his head, "It couldn't be. Big Blue is locked up in the Plum's garage to keep Grandma Mazur from driving." He shrugs, "Nobody has driven it since Steph died."

I shrug turning and follow Joe back towards the SUV. I must be seeing things – but it definitely looked like Big Blue to me.

Mooner smiles as he rolled up to a dilapidated looking house situated only one street over from Stark Street. The guy didn't even notice he was being followed. And what type of criminal hangs round to watch his own bomb blow off. That's a sure way of getting caught. Mooner slouches down in his seat, opening a can of cola and sipping slowly. Time to sit and watch.