Okay…. Here is the first story I ever wrote for FF (this is NOT a Babe or Cupcake… As usual, I've not very kind to Morelli so keep that in mind). Please keep in mind, this was my very first attempt, so the chapters are not as long as my other stories and the writing is a little different. I finally got into a groove sometime after my first two or three stories. I'll update this every Tuesday & Thursday (just need to go back and edit spelling errors and maybe fix up some grammer).

Yes, this is the story that has the, as of yet, unfinished sequel… HOWEVER, I DO plan on finishing the sequel and posting it before the year is over!

I hope you will all enjoy the re-reading of New Beginnings and, for those of you who have not read it before, I hope you'll enjoy as well.

SapphireJ (storiesforwomen dot net )

Chapter 1: Chapter 1

If you know them, I don't own them…just borrowing them. All main characters belong to JE!

Storming out of the office, she ran for the elevator in the hopes that she didn't have to wait for it. Luck was shining down on her as the doors opened just as she reached for the button. She needed to get out of there before the tears started to fall in front of everyone.

Opening the door, she realized that she was in her apartment but didn't remember how she got there. She ran into her bedroom, fell onto the bed, and curled up in a fetal position. Tear marks stained her face as she drifted off to sleep.

Waking only a few times to empty her bladder, she was surprised when she woke up to someone sitting in the chair in her bedroom. She knew who it wasn't, but didn't want to open her eyes to see who it was.

"Beautiful, time to wake up and get out of bed. You've been here for three days; it is time to face the world." Lester was the intruder this time. He went to the bed and sat down next to her, trying to get her to look at him. "Hey, where are those beautiful blue eyes? I need to see them… please?"

She rolled over to look at him, just wanting him to leave her alone. She didn't want any company, especially any of the Merry Men. "Just go, Les. Leave me alone," she told him with a hoarse voice.

"No can do, Bomber. We've been watching you for three days and you've not moved. It's my turn and I'm getting you out of here. Come on… ten minutes to shower and get dressed, or I'm coming back in!" He kissed her forehead and went to the kitchen to start the coffee.

Stephanie got up and went to the bathroom. She really didn't want to take a shower, but she knew that Lester was a man of his word and if he said he'd be back in ten minutes, he would be. She stepped into the shower letting the almost scalding hot water pound on her back. She washed her hair and stepped out. Once she was dried, she went to her closet and picked out clothes. She decided on a pair of jean shorts and an aqua blue stretchy v-neck shirt. When she left her bedroom, she could smell the coffee, eggs, and bacon. Lester was making her breakfast.

"Mmm, something smells good," Stephanie said as she walked up next to Lester and looked. He smiled at her and gave her a hug. They ate breakfast in silence, just enjoying each other's company. After the dishes were washed and things put away, Lester sat on the couch next to her.

Putting an arm around her shoulder, he pulled her to him, "What happened the other day at the office? You haven't been around since then and Ranger left that night for Miami."

"I don't want to talk about it, Les. And, please, tell the guys to back off and stop following me around. I don't need Ranger bleeding more money than he already has. And, honestly, you probably shouldn't be here right now. Thanks for breakfast, but I think you should leave."

Shaking his head, Lester told her, "Steph, I'm not going anywhere. And for what it is worth, I'm on my time. This is my day off and this is how I want to spend it. Now, please, tell me what happened. I'm worried about you."

Just as she was about to tell him, there was a knock at her door. She got up to see who was there. "Shit." She opened the door and there was Joe. They were currently in their off-again stage and she hadn't really expected him to show up.

"Hey, Cupcake. Mind if I come in?" Joe said as he pushed his way inside her apartment.

"Sure, Joe. Come on in," she replied sarcastically.

Joe saw Lester in the living room and tensed up right away. Lester stood up and walked over to Steph. "If you need anything, just call me and I'll be here. I'll see ya later, Beautiful." He leaned over, kissed her temple and left.

"Jesus Christ, Steph!" Joe said after Lester shut the door. "Are you fucking them all now?" he yelled.

"Joe, don't go there. You're drunk, I can smell it on your breath. I think you should go home." Stephanie tried to reason with him, "You know we are over and I don't want to talk to you when you have been drinking. Go home, Joe… come back when you're sober."

Stephanie turned away from him to go get some water when she felt his hand on her upper arm and he was none to gentle. He squeezed her arm hard and spun her back around. "Steph, Cupcake…just come home with me. We can work this out. You just stop the damn job, move in with me, marry me, and have our babies. We can make this work. You just need to stop seeing Manoso and stop fucking all his goons, and we will be fine!" Joe's voice was getting louder with each word.

Trying to jerk her arm free, Stephanie yelled, "No, Joe. I'm not going to be the housewife you want. You need to move on. And I will not stand for you telling me what I need to do or not do. I can't even believe that you think I'm sleeping with all those men. They are my FRIENDS, Joe… nothing more. Now get out of here and don't bother calling me again!"

She saw it a split second before she felt it… Joe's fist connected with her jaw and she went down. She couldn't believe he hit her. She knew he was drunk, but she never thought he would take it this far. The next thing she knew, his fists were all over her… her face, her ribs, and her back. She finally managed to get her foot up and kicked him in the nuts. He flew backwards and landed on his ass, folded in half with the pain. He stood up, looked at Stephanie for a second, and then took off for the stairs and out of her apartment building.

Stephanie knew she was about to fade out, but she had to stay awake to call someone. Reaching for her phone, she called the only person she could count on at that moment.

Smiling as he answered the phone, Lester asked, "Hey, Beautiful, need me so soon?"

"Les… please… help."