These characters are not mine and no amount of wishing or dreaming about it will change that so I will just play with them here for my own entertainment.

Chapter 1 – Setting the Stage

"Please," I whined.

"Babe." Ranger responded. This time he meant "No, I'm not telling you what they want and stop asking."

"Just one small hint," I tried pushing my luck.

I'm pretty sure Ranger sighed. "I promised the guys they could tell you want they wanted."

Realizing this was getting me no where I hopped off of his lap and felt Ranger take my hand in his. He brushed a kiss lightly across my palm and closed my fingers over it. "I will tell you that they want to ask you a favor and there is no one that can do it but you. You are completely free to say no to one or all of them. But, if you chose to say yes there are some conditions I applied before I would give my permission to this hair brained idea."

"What kind of conditions? And what idea? And who exactly will be there that I would say yes or no to?" I was beginning to get wound up and lost in my questions when Ranger pulled me back to reality.

"Like I said they will give you all the details at lunch. Why don't you come back here after you talk to them and I'll be glad to go over everything with you then?"

I nodded accepting the fact that was all I was going to get out of Ranger. "See you later Ranger."

"Babe."

Really would a goodbye be that difficult.

I took the elevator down to my current mode of transportation. It was a twelve year old red Honda Civic and while it rode fine, only the driver's side doors would open and there was very little room in the back for a skip. Most days it didn't matter as my skips weren't that big or dangerous and on days when I needed a little more room there was a black SUV reserved for me at RangeMan. Of course I hated taking it. In the two years I had worked for Ranger I had blown up three of his vehicles and I was always terrified of losing another. The guys seemed to find it amusing, I found it mortifying.

Driving to Shorty's to meet the guys for my mystery lunch I thought about the last time I blew up one of Ranger's vehicles. Six months ago I had just cuffed my latest skip, Melinda David, a 45 year old housewife accused of holding up a liquor store for 1 bottle of Jack Daniels. She came with very little noise or fuss which should have been my first clue that fate was not done with me.

We were just coming down the steps of her house when Melinda stopped walking. I heard her gasp and she told the scraggly man staggering in front of us, "Now listen here Earl, I am going down to the station and I'll be back in time for dinner, just go on in and watch your shows until I get back." I followed her lead and began walking forward. Just as we were passing Earl I saw him turn, pull a gun from his back and aim it at my black RangeMan issued SUV. "You aren't going anywhere Melinda" he slurred out drunkenly before opening fire. It took him five unsteady shots, but he finally hit the magic spot on the gas tank and BOOM!

Fifteen seconds later I heard the sound of sirens and felt the start of what would surely become a migraine. I knew fate wouldn't have mercy and allow the pain to be a stroke that would take me out of my misery quickly.

Earl continued weaving toward the house and passed out half way up the stairs. Eddie and Big Dog approached me each smiling like it was Christmas morning.

"Steph, whose car is that burning – yours or Ranger's?" Eddie asked.

"It was Ranger's" I admitted wondering what third world country I might find myself in tomorrow. Then I saw the smile disappear from Big Dog's face as he handed Eddie a handful of cash.

"Do I even want to know what that was about?" I asked Eddie.

"Probably not, but I can tell you that because of you I now can take Shirley out and afford to pay the outrageous price the sitter demanded." He offered by way of explanation. "Had it been your car I would have been forced to order pizza and rent a movie tonight."

While this wasn't the most embarrassing situation I had found myself in I was still mad that I couldn't even bring in a simple willing FTA without blowing up a car. I felt the prickling of tears in my eyes and closed them to cut off their escape route before I lost it in front of Trenton's finest.

Eddie threw an arm over my shoulders and leaned in to my ear to ask, "Are you alright?"

I nodded.

Stepping back he asked, "Can you tell me what happened?"

I took a deep breath to spill the details of my most recent car's death when Melinda started talking. She told the entire story from my knocking on the door to Earl's fall on the steps. Big Dog went over to Earl and none too gently cuffed him as he was beginning to come to.

Eddie put a hand on my shoulder to get my attention. "Why don't we take the David's with us to the station? I'll get your receipt for you and drop it off to Connie this afternoon."

I looked into Eddie's kind eyes and said "thanks." I was about to tell him he was a good friend when I saw movement over Eddie's shoulder and noticed an angry Italian stalking toward me. Had he been a cartoon there would have been a storm cloud over his head. As it was there was a vein bulging from his neck, his face was already red and he was chewing up the remnants of a Tums. There was no way this was going to go well, even if we were not a couple at the moment.

I took a deep breath to prepare myself for what I knew was coming.

Joe began by pointing at the still burning SUV. "Cupcake, will you finally admit that you are not capable of doing this job? This is completely beyond what you can handle, and you can't expect me to just drop what I'm doing every time you blow something up to check and be sure you are alright. Please tell me you have seen the light and you will give this up and come back home. I would be willing to forget our last fight if you would stop all of this." He was franticly motioning with his arms as he spoke.

Before Joe had a chance to take a breath I felt myself go from embarrassed to full blown rhino in 1.5 seconds. "Joe, we didn't have a little fight last week. I came home early and found you half naked on the couch with Terri Gilman. That isn't something you need to forget – that is an image that is permanently burned into my brain. You have no right to tell me what to do ever again. And for the record, I can do this job; I got my skip just fine."

Joe cut in just as I began to feel the tingling in my neck telling me Ranger was close by. "Cupcake, you need to be careful. There aren't many men who would put up with all this foolishness like I have. You need to understand you are running out of options. If you ever want to get married, you need to accept that this job has to go, your associations need to be dropped and you are going to have to change."

The way he sneered when he said "associations" made my stomach turn as I knew he meant my relationship with Ranger and my friendship with his men who I lovingly referred to as the Merry Men. Before I could stop myself I blurted out, "Joe, you no longer have the right to dictate what I do and who I do it with. And you should be very care about trying to force your opinion on me regarding who I hold close to me. You worked your way out of that circle last week and now I have nothing left to say to you."

Before I could turn completely away he gritted out, "But they're thugs and they won't want you around once they see what an uptight bitch you really are."

Drawing back my arm and spinning around to Joe's face my fist collided hard with his nose. Joe doubled over with blood gushing down his face. "That is for calling them thugs. They are all honorable, good men who I am honored to call my friends. I trust them with my life and I would do anything for them. Goodbye Joe." I spit out.

With that I walked away and straight over to Ranger who was leaning against his Bronco with Tank, Bobby, and Lester flanking him. Ranger pulled my hand into his and said, "Babe", which I took as his way of asking if I was okay.

"I'm fine." I quipped. He raised a single eyebrow telling me he didn't believe my proclamation.

Then a traitor of a tear slipped from my eye. I brushed it away quickly and amended my previous statement, "Well, I will be fine, but right now I'm pissed as hell at Joe, and the stupid skip, and my inability to keep a car in one piece." As soon as I said it I realized I was standing in front of the man who owned the car that the fire department was hosing down and I began to try and pull away. I wondered if he would let me pack a few essentials before shipping me off.

Ranger was having none of that and he held my hand tighter to prevent my escape. Unfortunately he put just enough pressure on my knuckles to send a message of pain to my brain and I whimpered slightly. Of course he picked up on it and pulled my hand up for closer inspection. "Bobby," Ranger barked out when he saw the signs of bruising on my hand.

Bobby, the RangeMan medic, stepped over and gently examined my hand. He pressed on a few places that made me wince but I knew from past experience it didn't hurt enough to be broken. Apparently Bobby agreed. "I think some ice and Advil will take care of it. It doesn't appear to be fractured."

Thank goodness for that. I couldn't bear the thought of a trip to the ER on top of my current shame. But, before I could fall any deeper into a pit of despair Lester spoke up. "Hey beautiful, why don't you ride with me and Bobby. We were on our way to rent some flicks for a movie night with the guys. We'd love it if you joined us."

I hesitated and looked to Ranger for guidance. While it might appear he had his blank face on I could see the smallest sign of a smile by the upturn of the lines near his eyes. He lifted his chin marginally and I knew that was his way of telling me to go with the guys.

But, it was Lester who sealed the deal by putting his arm around me and whispering in my ear, "We can get some ice cream too and the boss man can't complain. Bobby told you put ice on your hand and holding a pint of Ben and Jerry's would do that. Consider it just what the doctor ordered." How can you argue with that logic? I happily followed them to their car.

Over the next few weeks I spent more and more time in the company of the Merry Men and found I loved to hang out with them. There was always that seed of doubt in my mind planted by Joe's words that once they got to know me they would realize I wasn't all that special and they wouldn't want to have me around. But, I decided to enjoy the time I could surrounded by testosterone and sexiness until they came to their senses.

Of course, spending time with the Merry Men meant I was around the Haywood offices giving me more opportunities to see Ranger. At first the kisses and looks of longing increased. I found myself pulled into the alley beside the bonds office nearly daily and kissed until I couldn't remember my name. But, after a couple of months of hidden touches and tastes I couldn't take it anymore and decided to confront Ranger about what we were to each other.

I stood outside his office trying to gather my courage and come up with an opening line when I heard him call to me, "Come on in Babe, it's open."

"Show off" I muttered as I stepped in closing the door behind me.

Ranger pointed to his computer and responded "Cameras." Being the model of patience he leaned back in his chair giving me his undivided attention but not saying another word.

"Ranger, what are we?" I blurted out. Not smooth, but it was at least a start. I realized my knees were beginning to shake so I sat in one of his office chairs before I collapsed.

Instantly, his blank face slammed down and I regretted coming in. "Why do you ask?" he countered.

I decided not to argue about him answering my question with a question and chose to lay it all on the line in the hope of getting some information from Batman.

"I'm confused about what this is" I motioned between us before continuing. "You have supported me in a way no one else ever has. You give me understanding, the tools I need, an endless supply of back up and cars which would make me say we are friends."

His face softened marginally, but not enough for me to get a read on it. So I pushed forward, "You also kiss me in a way that makes me forget to breathe, you touch me with enough heat to cause me to self combust and sometimes you look at me as though you want more yet, except for one glorious night, that is all there is." Finishing my explanation I felt my embarrassment complete with a bright red blush covering my face and flowing down to my neck and chest.

Ranger stood up and walked over to me. He gently took one of my hands in his and pulled me up to follow him to his leather couch. Sitting down he pulled me into his lap and put his arms tightly around my waist. "Stephanie," he began.

I knew as soon as he said my name this wasn't going to end the way I hoped it would.

"You are right I do want more. Those kisses in the alley make me forget myself too. You have brought a light into my world I cannot lose and I love you for it."

My heart rate began to soar, and I admit I began to hope. Then my world crashed down with his next word. "But..."

Nothing good ever follows that word.

"But, I cannot allow myself to let you fully into my heart and into my life. Not only would it be too dangerous for you, but I know I am not capable of opening up the way you need and deserve. I would fight to the death to protect you because of how important you are to me. There is no one who has ever shown me, or my men, the kind of acceptance and unconditional love you have. Some days I just want to lock you upstairs in order to have you safe and protected and with me, but I know you would never survive the captivity and that spark in you would go out. So I do what ever I can to help you soar and keep you safe."

I was not at a loss for words. Ranger had never put that many words together aloud before and I felt the need to say something.

"You do help me soar, in so many ways. You are the only person I think that has ever understood me."

"It's because I understand you that I don't push for more than what we have. I would give you anything within my power, but I can't give you all of me because there are things in my past that I have to keep closed and I will not allow the darkness there to cast a shadow on your light."

"Don't you think it should be my decision if the shadow is too dark for me? Don't you think we could be good together?" I countered.

"Not this time Babe. If there was ever a woman that I wanted to be in a relationship with it would be you, but you need to know this, what we have now, is all I can give you. As for being good together, our one night tells me we could be fabulous, but it isn't going to happen – it can't happen." He sounded defeated when he said the last part; as though he longed for it as much as I did but had made up his mind.

I wanted all of Ranger, his past, his future, his heart and his body. Tears began to slip from my eyes but I wasn't sobbing. My heart ached and I knew he could not be swayed. The mature side of me knew he was right, but the childish side of me wanted to scream and yell until he changed his mind. I decided to ignore both sides and leaned into him. "Where does that leave us?"

"It leaves us where we are." He answered as though that told me anything.

"And, where are we?" I pressed.

"We are friends Babe, the best of friends. We help each other, we support each other, and we admit there is an attraction there that cannot be acted upon. I need you in my life though. You give me strength and a purpose that I need to maintain my focus here. I don't want to lose your friendship over this." There was silence while I processed all of what he said. Then I heard him whisper into my hair the one word that would make me accept this despite my heart and body screaming against it. "Please."

I laid my head on his shoulder and wrapped my arms tightly around his neck. In a way it felt like goodbye. And, in many ways it was. We were saying goodbye to a dream that could not be. I found my voice enough to speak but I could not face him. "Okay Ranger, we will do it your way. I need you in my life too and you are my very best friend so I can't picture not having you to run to when I need help. But I need to have you tone down the kissing. I can't take that level of closeness and keep my heart any less involved."

His arms pulled me even closer to his chest. "Okay Babe, but I'll still need to touch you to feel that you are close and that you are alright."

"I need that too." Then before my brain had a chance to stop me I sat up and said, "How about a final kiss."

Ranger's hands went up to face and his thumbs gently rubbed my checks as though I were porcelain and would crack if he used any direct pressure. "I've always known you were too good for me and I lived in fear that a day would come you would realize it and pull away."

"I'm not going anywhere Batman. Face it; you're stuck with me forever." And as I said it I knew it was true. We would never be lovers and a romantic couple, but we would always be together.

He closed the distance between us and our lips met softly. I instantly felt the sparks that were always there when we touched and as the kiss grew in urgency the sparks grew to fireworks. Our hands gripped each other as though we were the other's lifelines for survival. Perhaps we were. Our tongues dueled and I felt my body begin to warm. Moving to deepen the kiss I could feel this was heating up for him too as my seat now had a third leg and it was pressing against me through his cargos. Ranger found the strength to pull back and we rested our foreheads against each other waiting for our breath to even out.

I took solace that he was as effected by the kiss as I was. Suddenly I realized it was a goodbye kiss of sorts and the hurting in my chest went from an ache to a stabbing pain. I found my voice first. "Ranger, I'm going to go home now and need take the rest of the day off. I have to come to terms with this alone."

He nodded his understanding and let me stand before speaking. "You will be back, won't you Babe?" I could hear the uncertainty and the pain in his voice. With that I realized what this conversation must have cost him. He allowed himself to be vulnerable with me and I knew this hurt him too.

Without looking at him again I answered, "You couldn't keep me away." Then I opened the door and ran out of the office.

I fell apart over the weekend but by Sunday night I realized he was right; if he could never open up to me and really let me in then a romantic relationship was not possible. I did go back in the office Monday morning and somehow we survived a few awkward weeks around each other.

Ironically it wasn't until a distraction went sour and I ended up in the ER for stitches from a knife wound to the shoulder blade that I realized we were going to be okay as friends. He held my hand and soothed me with beautiful words spoken in Spanish and I focused only on him while the doctor stitched me up. Ranger took me home and changed me into one of his t-shirts for bed. Then he crawled in beside me, kissed my hair briefly and held me all night long. It was exactly what I needed. After that the awkwardness was gone and our friendship was solid.

That brings me back to today. I made it to Shorty's while I was thinking of how I had gotten to my current status of single and completely unattached. I was comfortable with my life but I missed dating and having someone to share my heart with. Apparently I had been musing over this a little too long as a knock on my window made me jump and brought me back to reality.

A grinning Lester was standing there when I opened my door. "Are you going to come in for lunch or were you trying to come up with an excuse to bow out first?" he asked.

Lester was probably my favorite Merry Man because of his ability to make me smile. We also shared similar taste in music, food, sports and movies so hanging out with him was guaranteed to be a good time. There was a playfulness that I loved and, despite his rep as a lady's man, I knew outside of Ranger he was probably the most protective of me. Many skips I lured from a bar during distractions made it to the police department with more bruises than they left with because of Lester. At some point I would try to figure out why that was, but for now I had to face the music and see what the band of Merry Men had up their sleeves.