Joe pulled up behind Lula, eyeing the warehouse as they got out and approached the door. He checked, finding it still locked, went back to his car, and returned with a small case. Opening it to remove a tiny metal object, Joe proceeded to jimmy the lock.
"Wow, who knew the cops were so good at breaking into places?" Lula stood outside the door and watched Joe about to enter. "Now, go on in there and get them girls, then come on back." She waved her hands to hurry him along.
He turned to glare at the large woman telling him how to do his job. "Lula, go sit in the car and if anyone comes, honk the horn as loud as you can."
Lula grinned, flashing bright white teeth in the sunlight. "I can do that. Count on me, Joe. I'll be honking before their tires are through rolling."
"That's great, Lula, just keep watch and honk loud." Joe drew his gun, cautiously entering the dark warehouse. Pulling out a flashlight, shining it around the large open area, left him confused when he found nothing, but empty space. Finally noticing the door over to the right, he carefully approached it, pressing his ear next to the small window and listened for any sound. Joe silently jimmied the lock, pushed opened the door, rolled around the corner with his gun aimed at any potential danger. He stood up, put his gun away, and leaned back against the doorway to stare at the woman napping on the bed.
"Excuse me, miss, but could you explain what the hell you're doing here?" Joe's voice got increasingly louder with each word. He advanced towards the bed in an angry prowl.
Stephanie's eyes popped open in alarm. She shot straight up almost falling off the small cot. "Joe!"
"Got it in one, cupcake." He pulled her off the cot for a brutal kiss that expressed his concern and anger better than any words ever could. They separated, gasping for air. Joe buried his face in her hair. "Why do you do this to me, Steph? You're making me old before my time."
Lula sat in Stephanie's SUV with the a/c on high, the radio going full blast, and singing at the top of lungs as she danced in her seat to the music. The SUV swayed every time Lula did. She was enjoying being the look out. In fact, she was having so much fun she thought she might ask to become a professional one. Closing her eyes, Lula pretended that she was Shakira, singing to a live audience. She never knew what hit her as her body slumped in the seat.
"How marvelous, a witness to the carnage. She'll be first on the scene to witness the terrible atrocities," a sinister voice said before administering a syringe of clear liquid into Lula's arm. Closing the car door, he walked away whistling an eerie melody before entering the warehouse. Quickly moving towards the open office door with his weapon already drawn, Jackson got and gave a huge surprise.
"Must think you're pretty smart don't you?" he said, stepping into the room.
Joe pushed Stephanie behind him, reaching for his gun. He relaxed when he saw who was standing there. "Jackson, I'm glad you're here. Someone's taken my girlfriend's cousin. They must have moved her to another location. Can you call the station while I take Stephanie to the hospital?"
"Fraid I can't do that, Morelli." Jackson watched Joe's face, witnessing understanding light the other man's eyes. "Well, you're not as dumb as I thought you were. Why don't you and Miss Plum get comfortable? Pitch me your gun and phone, then sit back, enjoy the ambience." He waved the gun at the barren room, laughing when Joe took a step forward. Jackson pointed his gun directly at Stephanie. "You wouldn't want me to mess up those pretty curls, would you?" Joe stopped in his tracks, withdrawing his gun and phone. "Put them on the floor, and then slide them towards me with your foot." Joe complied, going back to take Stephanie in his arms. "Come on, Morelli, do you take me for a fool? The one in the ankle holster too." Jackson scooted the other items closer with his foot while he kept an eye on Joe. A small gun shot across the ground moments later while he kept an eye on Joe. Bending down to pick up the items, Jackson straightened up, saluted them with his gun before closing and locking the door.
Stephanie spoke out for the first time, "Tell me you called for reinforcements before you came in here." Hope shone bright in large blue eyes as she waited for an answer.
"Sorry, cupcake. The only reinforcement I have is Lula. She was my lookout and was supposed to honk the horn to warn me. Guess that plan didn't work out, huh?" Joe laid Stephanie back on the bed, taking off his jacket to prop up her foot. "I don't want to mess with it too much. If it's broken, I could injure it more, and if it isn't, then it ain't gonna hurt nothing."
She scooted over to give him ample room to join her on the small cot. "Its okay, Joe." Stephanie snuggled close to him after he lay down beside her. "What about Lula? Do you believe she's okay? Would Jackson hurt her?" Tears filled her eyes at the thought of anything happening to her best friend.
"I don't know, Steph, I hope not." He brushed her tears away, pressing her head back down to his shoulder, absently smoothing her hair. They had no choice but to wait and see what Jackson planned to do with them.
Jackson furiously paced the outside office. Where is Summers? How did she get out? How did Morelli and Plum find the warehouse? It doesn't matter. Ranger will come for Plum the same as Summers, probably more so. I'll just have to tie up loose ends later. Going outside to move the car into the building, Jackson didn't see the small shadow enter.
Buffy felt her heart stop when she arrived to find Lula slumped over in Stephanie's SUV. Carefully opening the door, she checked for a pulse and breathed a sigh of relief to find one. She tried shaking Lula to wake her, but nothing worked. Knowing that Jackson could come back any minute, Buffy had no choice except to leave her.
A sound told her that someone was coming. Buffy shot across the short distance in a burst of speed to hide behind Joe's car parked to the right of the doors. Jackson walked out, pushed the doors wide open before continuing on to his car parked behind the SUV. Buffy waited until his back faced away from her, then rushed inside like a ghost. Jackson drove his car inside, left only to return with Joe's car several minutes later. He parked the cars in the farthest corner, not necessarily hiding them just not making them the center of attention. Jackson walked back to the doors, pulled them almost closed, stepped through the small gap, and didn't return for over twenty minutes.
Waiting anxiously, Buffy crept forward to peek through the gap. She wasn't surprised to see that the SUV was gone. Searching the area, pushing her Slayer senses with everything within herself, Buffy spotted the car down the road under a street light. Jackson got out, pulled Lula back into the driver's seat, locked the car, and headed back to the warehouse.
Buffy knew that Jackson had plans for Lula; she just didn't know what they were. Working quickly before he could return, she placed listening devices around the door, and then melted into the shadows. Moving silently throughout the warehouse, Buffy wired the place for sound, plus a few other surprises thought up for the cruel FBI agent.
Jackson returned talking on his phone. "Find Summers, and I want Briggs back too…Don't give me that, Fellows, do what I say." Clicking the phone off with an angry snap, he peered around searching for anything out of place. Jackson shook his head at his own foolishness. Punching in a number, he waited for the other person to pick up the phone. His attitude changed. His back stiffened, hands clinched into fist, neck muscles flexed and his back chorded with tension.
"Ranger, come to 11745 N. Industry Road, alone or she's dead…You don't think I have her…Never said I had her…Name's Stephanie Plum…You need proof, wait a minute…"
Jackson put his headset on to free his hands. Walking over to the office door, he opened it with his gun drawn, motioning for them to stay quiet. Pointing the gun at Joe's head, he directed him to go into the bathroom. Joe wanted to refuse, except for the fear he saw in Stephanie's. She clutched his hand and at the same time begged him to do whatever Jackson told him to do. Jackson cocked the pistol forcing Joe to move. Stephanie shrank back on the bed as the angry man moved closer. She shut her eyes when he shoved something in her face.
"Would you open you eyes? I'm not going to do anything…yet," Jackson growled.
Stephanie slowly glanced up to find a slender phone in front of her. Too afraid to talk, she waited for Jackson to tell her what he wanted.
"Tell your good buddy, Ranger, that you're okay. But nothing else." He pulled the phone back, giving her a death glare that made Stephanie shiver. "I haven't decided what happens to your large friend, so do as I tell you."
Stephanie swallowed, finding her throat suddenly dry. She nodded taking the phone in a shaking hand. "H-hello…Yes…I'm okay…No, he hasn't…Okay…Yes, I know you will…You too, Ranger." Handing the phone back to Jackson, she told him, "He wants to talk to you."
Jackson gave her a proud Poppa smile. "Good girl." Walking towards the door, he called over his shoulder. "When you hear the door lock, you can tell Morelli it's clear."
Buffy slipped back into the shadows. The gun too near Stephanie kept her from taking Jackson down and ending this right here and right now.
Stephanie screamed for Joe the instant the lock clicked. He slammed the door open, shot across the room, and gathered her shaking body into his arms. Murmuring soft words, trying to calm her down enough to tell him what happened.
When Stephanie eventually stopped shaking, Joe tilted her head back, gently kissed her, and asked, "Can you tell me, cupcake?"
Closing her eyes, swallowing in the hope that large lump would leave her throat, and nodded. A whisper soft voice said, "To talk to Ranger on the phone, not to say that you were here, and if I didn't, that he would hurt Lula."
Ranger raced through Trenton. A cold chill covered his body as he remembered - Jack. A voice from beyond the grave. It couldn't be true. When the rescue team found Ranger's squad, they told him that the Sandinistas killed Jack and his squad. His friend's death led him not reenlist when the time came. They were closer than some brothers, and had grown up together in Miami, even had the same birthday. To celebrate their eighteenth, they joined the Navy together. When he lost Jack, Ranger felt as if he lost a part of himself. Now, five years later, Jack returned not to tell him that he was alive. Ranger had a hunch that Jack planned to make Ranger pay for that fact. He hoped that somehow, someway the man he remembered and loved as a brother still lived inside the man he was going to meet.
Buffy slipped around Jackson's car to the fuel tank. Applying a small clay patch before moving back into hiding, she watched Jackson pace, which gave her a major happy seeing that he was getting nervous. She always wondered what people did that lived for only one goal, and achieved it or lost it. Buffy understood hate, vengeance, anger, pain, but they didn't give anyone the right to use people as pawns. To disregard human life to attain your own goals, to cause another as much pain as you saw fit. She learned a long time ago, the hard way of course, that everything isn't what it seems. Buffy realized that too late with Faith, and even Angel.
Catching a break, Jackson moved towards the doors, opening them enough to see when Ranger arrived. She snuck around the outside perimeter, staying close to the wall. The Slayer part wanted to hunt and Buffy fought to maintain control. She shoved the energy into the predatory acts of stealth, knowing the time for stalking and hunting would come soon enough. Working towards the office door to set up another special surprise, Buffy heard Ranger arrive. She quickly hid in the corner to wait for the show to begin.
Ranger got out, slamming the Bronco's door. He stood beside it with hand lifted in the air to show that he wasn't carrying a weapon.
Jackson stepped through the opening, aiming the gun directly at Ranger's head. "Turn around," he ordered. Ranger slowly moved in a circle, displaying himself from every angle. "Take off your boots, slowly." Bending down, the so-far silent bounty hunter did as asked, pulling off heavy army boots, and setting them beside the Bronco. "Walk towards me. Don't do anything stupid, Rick. We're going inside to catch up on the last five years."
Ranger remained silent, studying the man who changed so little in looks and so much in character. He entered the dimly lit area, and his eyes quickly adjusted, searching for any means of escape.
"Awe, Ricky, don't be that way," Jackson admonished, coming up behind Ranger. Closing and locking the door, he smiled broadly before hitting Ranger between the shoulder blades with the gun's butt.
Ranger staggered as pain shot down his spine. He kept on his feet by biting inside his mouth, an old trick from Seals training.
Buffy fought against the Slayer. It wanted to defend the man that smelled like a mate. Her senses went into overdrive as the adrenaline pumped through her body. Come on start talking. It's almost over You know you want to tell him all about the reasons and how you've come to make him pay. Damn it spit it out, Jackson. Swallowing hard to chase the growl back down her throat, green eyes followed every move the two men took. A small shadow glided across the floor silently, moving into position to take out Jackson before anyone got hurt. Waiting this way took every ounce of patience she had. Buffy never knew what her mom and Giles went through each night she patrolled. This life felt so different from her old one. Buffy hoped that she did the right thing at the right time.
"So, Rick," Jackson spat the name, "what do you have to say? Aren't you surprised to see me? Bet you never thought I'd make it out of that hellhole where you left me. Why'd you leave me? Friends to the end, brothers under the skin. Remember, Rick? A stupid lie that meant nothing when the shit hit the fan."
Ranger heard the anger and sadness in Jack's voice. "The rescue team told us that your squad died before they could get to you. After the Sandinistas, took you away they came back for the rest of your squad. We moved the next day to another camp about twenty clicks to the south and were there for twenty more days before they could extract us."
"LIAR!" Jackson advanced on Ranger, gripping the gun tightly while his face turned red with fury. "They kept me in a hellhole with no light for four long months. I got beat every day until they decided that I wouldn't talk, so they just left me in that hole. They fed me when they thought about it, which was about once a week."
Ranger realized that his friend, his brother was gone. He'd involved innocents into the hot zone. Ranger could have handled an attack on himself without any problems. Jack went after loved ones. That broke the rules of engagement. "How'd you get out, Jack?" Ranger's voice came out in a silky whisper as he watched his friend's eyes glaze over at the memories. "What did you do the escape? Rescue teams don't leave a soldier behind. They found your dog tags." Reaching into the painted on black T-shirt he wore, Ranger pulled out a silver chain. He saw Jack pale. On the end of the long chain dangled two sets of dog tags.
"Where did you get those?" Jackson stepped forward before shaking his head. No, it was a trick. I know the truth. I saw the proof with my own eyes. The abandoned camp where we'd been held hostage. Rick isn't going to talk his way out, not this time. It is time for retribution - mine. "You left me there and I did whatever it took to escape. When I made it back to the states, the CIA and FBI begged me to be their pinup boy. Chose the Feds because I knew how easy it would be to manipulate them. You led me a merry chase, but I finally tracked you down. I've watched and waited to make my move. When your name kept popping up with Plum's, I knew that now was the time. It was easy to find the right opening. Plum is an open book who helps most of her FTA's in one way or another. I found one that was perfect for the picking and set him up. Guy was already dirt, working for the Mob, doing computer accounting. Did some accounting of my own and Plum's little midget is up to his ears in trouble. We snatched him up using Plum's other boy toy while I moved the money the computer whiz never touched. That little job netted me a nice little profit." He boasted proudly.
"You have to be talking about Briggs. What does he have to do with any of this?" Ranger knew that his friend had psychological problems, but couldn't follow where he was leading with this story.
"Follow along, Rick, you haven't forgotten everything we learned about subterfuge have you? Briggs connects to Morelli, who connects to Plum, who leads to you. All I needed to do was push over the right domino and they would all fall over on you. Thought my plan would be FUBARed when the little blonde came along. She's a prime piece, that one."
Two growls intermingled in the air, the louder one overshadowing the softer. The small shadow crept closer knowing the time to act was growing closer.
"Plum fell into my hands like a piece of plump fruit," Jackson bragged, omitting the fact that Buffy'd escaped. "I knew you still cared for her and were just stringing the ditzy blonde along for the ride. You're going for the real prize, aren't you, Rick?"
Ranger gave his one time best friend a slow easy smile. "What can I say? She was there and you gotta admit she's easy on the eyes. Steph will always be the one for me. She'll get tired of Morelli's crap and come back to me. In the meantime, I have someone to play with." A casual shrug of large muscular shoulders said the rest.
Dark eyes searched light green ones across from him trying to determine what happened to give Jack that impression of Buffy. Keeping silent, he hoped that the other man would continue to explain his actions.
"That's why you're going to turn around, now." The gun clicked emphasizing the order.
Having no other choice, Ranger turned his back towards Jack, not knowing if the next thing he'd feel would be a bullet. He heard footsteps slowly approaching; only stopping when they were directly behind him. Cold steel closed around his wrists, letting him know whatever happened next, Jack wanted him as a helpless witness. Ranger wasn't helpless, but without knowing Stephanie whereabouts or condition, he couldn't make a move, yet. Watching Jack closely, he saw him strut across the floor to the office door. Ranger prepared himself for the worse. He couldn't bear for Stephanie to be hurt, but he couldn't even bring himself to think what he would have done if it really was Buffy involved.
Jack felt almost euphoric picturing Ranger's face when he saw not only the woman he wanted, but the man she preferred held hostage, too. Reaching for the knob, an electric shock pulsed through his body, knocking him backwards. Jackson scrambled to his feet with a strangled cry, and cautiously approached the door. Touching the flat surface, careful to stay away from the knob, he received the same nasty shock. Racing back over to Ranger, Jackson's face was a mask of fury. "What did you do?" He slapped the handcuffed man, splitting his lip.
Spitting out a stream of blood. "Nothing, I didn't know where you were until you called. Jack, just calm down, and think about what you're doing. It's not too late."
Jackson's lips curled into a hideous snarl. "Not too late, not too late? Do you know it took me a year to learn how to sleep without lights? Are you aware of the lengths I've gone to in order to set this plan in motion? And, you stand there, self-righteous as always, telling me it's not too late."
"It's not! I know Stephanie, she'll understand. I've helped her out in the past and she'd let this go if I asked her to. We could walk away from this without anyone getting hurt. Please, Jack, I'm begging you. Isn't that what you wanted? Me here, helpless, begging you for mercy? Please let Stephanie go and walk away." Ranger's dark eyes pleaded that even a small piece of his friend was there and would listen to him.
A cold laugh shook Jackson's shoulders while he listened to Rick beg him. He admitted it gave him a certain thrill. It just wasn't enough to erase the past. No, Rick must suffer the way that he did all those long hours in the dark. "It's a start." He raised the gun, aiming it towards Ranger. Buffy started forward ready to launch herself across the short distance when she saw Jackson aim away. The shot echoed in the empty warehouse, putting a hole in the floor only a foot from Ranger's foot. Motioning Ranger to move towards the door with the gun and unclasping the handcuffs, he warned Ranger, "Don't get any ideas."
Unsure what he could do to a door he didn't wire, Ranger squatted down, looking at the knob and door from every possible angle. A fine wire stretched around the doorframe's inner edge. Unsure who placed it there, Ranger tried the door. He didn't get shocked. Jackson watched with narrowed eyes as the man he blamed for his past misfortunes walked through the door unharmed. Fury raced through him. Rick had walked away free and clear while he's hurt once again.
Jackson was about to order Ranger to step back when something whistled by and seconds later a car explosion had him shoving Ranger inside and locking the door. Instantly falling to the ground and scooting around the corner, Jackson peeked around trying to see who fired the shot. Another bullet, or so he thought, came whizzing by his head, sending him scuttling back for cover. He saw lying on the ground several feet away from him was a steel arrow and realized that someone was using a high-powered bow rather than a gun.
"Whoever you are, I'm a Federal Agent, and you're interfering with a criminal investigation. Come out where I can see you." The answer came when another arrow embedded itself in the cement cinder block only a few feet away from him. Going deeper into the shadows, Jackson started firing in the direction the arrows came from. Not hearing anything, and when no more arrows flew by, he cautiously crawled closer.
"Ranger, are you okay? He didn't hurt you did he?" Stephanie asked, sitting up in the bed. Joe got up when he heard Jackson attempt to open the door the first time.
"I'm okay, Steph. What happened to you?" Dark eyes took in the pain and fear etched on her face.
Blushing under the intense scrutiny, Stephanie explained about Buffy, the rescue attempt, and all the subsequent mishaps that followed.
"That's why he kept talking about Buffy as if he'd met her. The first call was real. He had her and she escaped. She lied to me before knocking me out cold." Turning back to the door when he realized who was out there with Jack. Rushing to the door, Ranger banged on it only to receive a nasty shock. He shouted kicking it with his bare feet, ignoring another shock. He prowled the room searching for a way out when he spotted the open window. Turning to Joe, he said, "Give me a boost, Morelli. I'll be back for you as soon as I can."
Joe walked over to stand under the window with his arms angled out on each side pressed flat handed to the wall to give him added support. Ranger carefully crawled up Joe's back trying to move as quickly as possible without injuring Joe. Reaching up to grasp the window's edge, Ranger pulled himself up, contorting his body in a way that he was able to pull himself through the small window. Now, it was a simple matter for him to drop down eight feet to the ground below. Simple for a trained ex-Special Forces SEAL Commander, yes, but there was also the matter of the rotted debris in the way. Cursing at his luck, Ranger did the only thing he could think of, he gathered his legs up close to his chest, almost crab walking up the brick wall, then pushed away, twisting around mid-air and landing on the outer most edge of the rotted crates. Ranger's landing wasn't the graceful one he planned, but he was on the ground, which was good enough for him. After brushing off the splinters and dirt, he took off for the front of the building, intent on getting to Buffy.
Jackson slowly moved back towards the office remaining low and in the shadows. Inching his body across the floor in an army crawl, using only elbows and palms, he almost reached the target with the idea of getting to the hostages. The minute flesh encountered the cold metal doorknob, an intense electric shock surged through his body. Jackson felt the electrical amps increase. Tremors started from the outer extremities until they worked their way through the nervous system. When the power stopped, Jackson slumped into a boneless lump on the floor.
Buffy stepped from the shadows carrying a specially designed crossbow over her shoulder, carefully approaching the unconscious man. Knowing that the enemy was down didn't mean that he could be counted out, especially not this enemy. Jackson trained with Ranger, making him a dangerous opponent, add in the torture he endured, which had turned a brilliant soldier into a vengeful assassin, and anything could happen. Buffy bent down to search for the gun when the front doors screeched loudly from being forced open, causing her to turn around.
Ranger barreled through the doors after retrieving a gun from the Bronco. He found Buffy crouched over Jack's prone body, and the office door still closed. Sighing in relief to find her unharmed, he did a very stupid thing; he started yelling at Buffy. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Do you have any idea who you're dealing with and what he could have done to you?" Ranger stomped over, intent on shaking some sense into the woman who drove him crazy. Right after he held her close and told her exactly how he felt about her.
Unfortunately for Ranger, the holding or shaking would have to wait for one very pissed off Buffy to decide not to kick his ass. "In case you didn't notice, I'm saving your ass, along with Steph's, and a few others. Now, shut up and help me, or get out."
It happened quickly, as these things do, a situation goes from controlled to total chaos in seconds. Buffy turned back to disarm her prisoner at the same time he rolled, captured her wrist pulling her with him before coming up into a standing position. Ranger watched it happen, helpless to stop it. Jack stood with Buffy clasped to his front and a gun pressed into her temple.
"Wow, the total oxymoron, a smart blonde, who'd thought it? You were good. Had ole Jack fooled with the tears and the whining, but as you can see it didn't help. I'm in control again, and no fancy tricks are going to stop me from getting my vengeance," Jack hissed at them.
"Jack, don't! This is between us. Let Buffy go and we can solve this once and for all," Ranger pleaded, panic clear in his voice as her stared at the gun aimed at Buffy.
"No, you aren't calling the shots, Rick. This is my plan, my vengeance, and not you or some blonde bitch is going to stop me from having my day." His pale green eyes turned harder, if that were possible, colder as he glared at them.
"Don't call me a bitch." Buffy snapped, tired of dealing with this man's insane ramblings. "I've been shot before and hate guns, so take that damn thing away from my head."
Jackson laughed, pressing her closer to him with one hand while he pushed the gun that much tighter against her temple. "What you gonna do? Beg like Rick over there."
"No," Buffy's voice went low and soft. "This." Grabbing the hand around her waist, Buffy squeezed until she heard a satisfying pop. At the same time, her right leg went straight over her shoulder knocking the gun away. The left leg followed seconds later, wrapping around Jackson's neck. Buffy pulled him down with her legs as she balanced herself on her hands. Jackson's body kept on going over the top of her. Once he cleared her body, she kicked him across the room. Jackson lay on his back with a broken hand, gasping for air.
"Are you crazy? He could have shot you!" Ranger ran over to Buffy, grabbing her up in his arms.
She shoved him away in time to shoot a gun from Jackson's hand. Screams echoed through the warehouse. Buffy silently walked over to stand over the man trying to hold his bleeding hand with the broken one.
He looked up at her, confusion clearly written on his face. "I thought you didn't like guns."
"Said I didn't like them, never said I couldn't use 'em," Buffy answered, rolling her eyes. Running a hand over his legs, looking for any other hidden weapons, she pulled out two knives and handcuffs. She promptly used those on Jackson's feet, seeing no need to cuff his hands. Buffy stood back to look at the pathetic man who decided to go after her friends and family. "Sorry to rain on your parade about being a Big Bad. I recorded your performance today for everyone's viewing pleasure. There's enough to all the people you've screwed with; course you'll have to hope the Mob doesn't get to your first for screwing with their money. I hear it makes them really unhappy." Buffy left him there, turned and walked towards the office door.
Ranger tried to catch Buffy before she opened the door. "Wait, I want to talk to you."
"You've said enough, Ranger. I'm going to let Stephanie out, check on Lula, and then I'm going home for a well-deserved shower. If you're smart, you'll leave me alone until I cool off enough not to want to kick your ass." She turned the knob, slipping into the office and closing the door behind her.
"Well, I'll be damned. She was shocking us too!" Ranger didn't know what to do. It wasn't a situation he found himself in often.
Buffy led Joe, who was carrying Stephanie, from the office. She returned his gun and phone, which he used to call for backup and an ambulance for Stephanie. Turning to Buffy, he asked. "You want to tell me what's going on here?"
"Nope. Ask Ranger, he seems to know everything." With those words, Buffy walked out the open doors.
Joe turned to Ranger for answers, but couldn't stop himself from saying, "Whatever you did, its going to take lots to get her to forgive you."
Fingers raked through the long, lush sable hair, pulling it from its ponytail. Ranger's eyes remained pinned on the doors that Buffy walked through. "Yeah, not sure what will get my butt out of this mess. Speaking of messes." He waved a hand towards a bound and still bleeding Jackson.
"Gotta car coming for him. Sure like to know what happened. Sounded interesting from what we could hear in there." Joe nodded with his head.
Stephanie remained unusually silent, her mind on Lula and whether she was hurt or not. Ranger's tone snapped her back to the conversation. She caught the tail end where he told Joe what he said to Buffy. "No wonder she won't talk to you. She saves yours, not to mention our asses, and you tell her she's crazy and doesn't know what she's doing. Buffy is a female you when it comes to this stuff. You'd go ballistic if anyone talked to you the way that you talked to her." Stephanie shook her curly head; her large blue eyes looked at her friend with equal parts pity and anger.
Lula came stumbling through the door before Ranger could respond. She was rubbing her forehead and blinking her eyes trying to shake off the affects of the drug Jackson gave her. "Where is he? Where is that low-life scum? Thought he could shoot me up with stuff like I was still walking the streets. I'll kick his ass." Lula was huffing and puffing, about ready to blow, her cheeks were a bright red as her chest heaved in and out in agitation.
The others watched in amazement as she came at them, resembling a charging bull. They had never seen their friend this angry before. Stephanie tried to get Joe to put her down, but he refused. "Lula," she called trying to get her best-friend's attention, "you're all right. I've been so worried. He said that he would hurt you if I didn't tell Ranger to come here. You're okay, that's all that matters. We're all okay and Buffy took care of Jackson. Joe has a car coming to pick him up." Stephanie talked fast, trying to keep Lula's attention away from the bound Jackson, not far away from them. Too late. Lula scented him out, the clattering beads shot everywhere as her head turned directly towards him. Lula's large body turned mid-direction, going straight for Jackson. Ranger, Joe, and Stephanie's mouths dropped open to see the 250-plus sized woman actually go airborne and land on Jackson with the precision of a high diver. A loud "thump" followed by a scream of excruciating pain told them she'd hit the target.
"Help! Someone get this maniac off me," Jackson yelled as Lula proceeded to slap, scratch, and bite with every bit of street smarts at her disposal.
Ranger couldn't stop the laughter this sight brought. There was Jack, ex-Seals, FBI Agent being pummeled by an ex-hooker. It was too good to be true. Of course, that was after he'd been taken down by a gorgeous blonde that weighed one hundred pounds soaking wet. Yes, life was good. Oh shit, Buffy! Ranger turned to Joe. "How did you get caught up in this, Morelli? Steph and Lula, I can understand, but you?" He left the question dangling in the air.
"Got a call from Briggs, said to keep Stephanie away, Buffy was setting something up, and he was tracking her on a GPS. I tried to head Steph off, but was too late, and got caught."
Ranger's eyes lit up when Joe said GPS. He had a way to find the elusive blonde, hopefully before she thought to remove the chip. "Gotta go guys. You can wrap this up here. I'll come by the station and give a statement. Oh, Buffy said she wired the place. Probably want to have some techs look for those tapes. Should give you everything you need to put Jack away for a long time." Ranger strode towards the door without looking back.
"Something tells me, cupcake, your cousin's going to have a surprise visitor. Hope she doesn't shoot first and ask questions later." He kissed her head, hitching her up higher in his arms.
"Oh, I'm sure she'll at least let him speak a little before she kicks his ass." Stephanie giggled, snuggling into Joe's arms.
Siren's filled the air as police and an ambulance pulled into the drive. Big Dog and Eddie got out rushing in to see if everyone was safe.
Ranger drove after Buffy frantically punching in Tank's number on his cell. "Tank…yeah, it's over…I have another problem…Buffy set him up, then pulled our butts out of the fire…Listen, I'll tell you everything later. Buffy has a GPS on her, and before she takes it off, I need you to track her…Yeah, you should be able use my location as a starting place…She's got a fifteen minute head start on me…I know that she lives somewhere not too far from Steph…Try your best, Tank and get back to me fast."
The black Bronco's speedometer tipped further to the right hitting almost ninety as Ranger took the corners sharply, in an effort to catch sight of Buffy's red and black motorcycle.
Buffy helped Lula get back to the warehouse before leaving. She wanted as far away from Ranger as she could get. Others unknowingly doubting her intelligence over the years was commonplace. It came hand in hand with the way she looked. Since becoming the Slayer, Buffy never had anyone doubt her ability to defend herself or others. She didn't realize how much that meant to her, how much it'd became a part of who she was not only as a Slayer, but as a person. Buffy had shown Ranger and the others without Slayer ability, well for the most part, that she was more than capable of doing this job, and taking care of herself and others. Ranger comes along and the first time a real situation happens where he's not in control where he has to depend on someone else, namely her to help him. He goes ballistic then becomes a chauvinistic caveman. Uurgh. Why are the ones who seem perfect so hardheaded? Ranger acted just like Angel used to. The big difference was that I'm not a sixteen-year-old little girl who's going to be swept off my feet by he-man ways. Damn, I thought he was different.
She pushed the motorcycle harder, taking it to its maximum performance levels. Buffy shot through Trenton's streets, leaving behind only a black and red streak of light and burnt rubber. Making it to her apartment in record time, she put the motorcycle in its private storage, closing the door behind her. Buffy took the stairs in the hope that she'd miss seeing anyone. Walking into the apartment, she threw her helmet on the leather couch before going to the phone and dialing Randy's number. Buffy quickly explained everything before promising she'd call tomorrow and give details.
Hanging up the phone, she headed for the bathroom, stripping as she went intent on a long shower then sleeping for several days. Stepping into the spray, Buffy allowed the last twenty-four hours to fall away. She closed her eyes, enjoying the hot water beating down on her tired body. Buffy cleared her mind of everything that had happened.
Ranger almost laughed when Tank told him where Buffy's GPS led, almost. He couldn't believe she lived in his apartment building. Not only did she rent an apartment from him, but it sat directly under his own apartment. To top it off, Buffy knew it all along and never said a word. Ranger felt stupid, never even bothering to check out the tenants living where he resided since he never saw her anywhere near the building. It went to show how much he underestimated her.
He didn't parking the Bronco in its usual parking spot. Instead, he left it with the driver's door open at the front with the doorman yelling at him to move it. He slowed down and pulled himself together before giving the manager a charming smile.
"Oh, Mr. Mancuso, I'm sorry sir. I didn't recognize you. Is there something that I can do for you?"
"Yes, Thomas. I'm afraid you caught me in a bit of a rush. We have a tenant staying here. She's petite, long blonde hair, large green eyes, and…"
Before he could say anymore, the manager smiled at him and interrupted. "Oh, yes. That's Miss Summers in Apt. 608A. She's a wonderful young lady. So friendly to all the staff. There isn't a problem is there? Is Miss Summers all right? I would hate to think that anything bad had happened to such a beautiful lady," Thomas said, worry clearly written on his face.
"Let's hope not. I'll need the pass key to ensure that everything's all right," Ranger explained, "I'll call and let you know if there's a problem. If you don't hear from me, then it's a false alarm."
The manager handed him the key, and Ranger took off for the elevators. Looking back at the front door, Thomas did a double take when he saw that in the short time he talked to Mr. Mancuso the black Bronco disappeared. He shook his head realizing a long time ago not to question the goings on around here. Thomas knew there was more to Mr. Mancuso than what he appeared.
Ranger slipped the key in the lock, silently opening the door and entering Buffy's home. He heard the shower going as he pulled his boots off so that he could move quietly about the place. Looking around as he worked his way towards his target, Ranger saw how the apartment fit Buffy perfectly. It was simple, yet elegant.
Hearing the shower going, Ranger rubbed his hands together before quietly opening the door. A smile spread across his face. A large shower filled the corner, and among the wafts of steams was a small golden shape. He knew that they needed to talk, that he needed to apologize and work things out in their relationship. The problem was that at this moment talking was the last thing on his mind. Memories of their night together rushed through his body, creating an immediate reaction. Ranger pulled his shirt off without even realizing what he was doing. He started working on his pants when he felt something brush across his back. Ranger spun around, straight into a small fist. His knees buckled as his head flew back; all pleasurable thoughts flew from his body replaced by pain. Another fist shot out, connecting with his jaw, sending him to the floor flat on his back. Ranger blinked his eyes, not sure what happened. He groaned in pain, looking up then groaned louder. There in golden, dripping, blazing, glory stood Buffy.
"Is there a reason that you're not only breaking into my home, but undressing in my bathroom?" A bare foot tapped on the tile floor, while small hands fisted on slender hips.
Ranger attempted to get up and found himself flat on his back with a foot on his chest. "Buffy, please, I need to talk to you."
Her green eyes darkened until they were almost black. She bent down, ignoring her own nudity. "Didn't hear any talking. I saw you taking your clothes off to join my shower, which I didn't invite you into. Do you really want to talk?" Buffy leaned back, waiting for an answer. Ranger shook his head, too afraid to say anything.
A feral grin spread across Buffy's face. "Good. Remember that you asked for this."
Ranger's eyes grew wide as he watched the small powerful fist fly at him once again. There was pain. He swore he could see stars, and then blissfully there was nothing but darkness.
His head pounded, feeling like a jackhammer rocketed behind his eyes. Ranger tried to lift his head, which somehow weighed fifty pounds. Trying to rub his temple, he realized he couldn't move; she'd tied him to a chair. Ranger slowly opened an eye to find Buffy wrapped in a golden towel. He couldn't help wishing that she'd remained in her previous state of undress, but now wasn't the time to dwell on that.
"Buffy," he swallowed and tried again. "What is going on?"
"You want to talk, let's talk, my way." She walked around him, looking at him from every angle. "Before I left, I asked you to leave me alone and let me cool off, but you decided that we have to talk tonight. Not a great move on your part." Shaking her still damp hair, Buffy moved back around to stand in front of Ranger.
"I didn't want to leave things the way they were." Ranger pleaded with his eyes for her to give him a chance.
Buffy gave a hard laugh. "You don't want. Don't you ever listen, Ranger? This isn't about you this is about me. You pissed me off, and you should have left me alone to calm down enough to talk about it. Ranger, I understand that you are used to being the man in charge, but you aren't and won't ever be in charge of me. If that is what you want then I'd like you to leave me the hell alone now." Unwavering forest green eyes held dark brown ones captive.
Ranger didn't know how to answer the ultimatum. He couldn't remember a woman ever giving him one before. Everyone had always bent to his will, and he took it for granted that they liked it that way. Buffy took his silence for an answer. A small knife appeared from nowhere. She cut his bonds, pointed at the doors, and walked back down the hallway towards her bedroom.
"Talking isn't doing us any good, Ranger. You told me your answer, and I'm not willing to live that way again. You know the way out. I'll find somewhere else to live as soon as I can. Don't worry; I'll stay out of your way much as possible." Without turning back around, she slipped further down the hall opened the bedroom door and quietly closed it behind her.
Ranger watched her walk away from him in a state of shock. He snapped back to himself realizing that Buffy took his silence the wrong way. Jumping up from the chair, he shook off the ropes and was about to march into the bedroom and tell her how wrong she was, but stopped himself in time. The last time he did that was what got him into this mess in the first place. His next attempt didn't go so well either when he let his hormones get the best of him. A slow, sexy, mega-watt smile spread across Ranger's face. He knew what he needed to do as he slowly turned and started walking down the hall towards the bedroom where he hoped his future lay.
Quietly opening the door, he saw her lying on the bed still covered in only the large towel. Her eyes were shut, although she wasn't asleep, simply thinking. Ranger approached the end of the bed. He slowly climbed onto the large mattress, trying not to disturb the small body that hadn't moved since he'd entered the room.
Bending over a tiny foot, he caressed the high arch before kissing the in-step, which elicited a soft intake of breath from its owner. "I'm sorry," he breathed out over a delicately boned ankle before bringing both feet up to gain access to Buffy's toes. Each miniscule digit painted a delicate pink, somehow making them appear even smaller than they already were. Ranger first nibbled on the tip before sucking each toe into his warm mouth. Once he completed this loving treatment, he repeated his mantra. "I'm sorry."
Buffy squeezed her eyes shut harder, trying not to let Ranger's touch get to her. It was a losing battle. It wasn't just his touch though goodness knows that was enough to make any woman in Trenton hand over her gun. No, it was the soft words and the way he said them. They went straight through her body to her heart. She knew he meant them, knew he wasn't playing with her, damn him.
Ranger continued his mission for forgiveness. Kisses, nibbles, and bites randomly led the way in tandem up one powerful thigh to the other until they reached the towel. Each one always followed by those words.
She flipped over in the bed. Dark soulful eyes gazed up at her, pleading for permission to continue. Buffy buried her fingers in Ranger's hair and pulled him her body until they were facing each other. Her expression didn't change as she stared at him, searching his face until she finally saw what she was looking for and smiled, causing him to sigh in relief.
"Apology accepted." Buffy leaned forward and gently kissed his lips.
"I promise that I won't ever tell you what to do or take your abilities for granted again. If I do you have my permission to punish me anyway you want." Ranger kissed her back passionately.
Pulling away when air became an issue, she laughed as wicked ideas popped into her head. "That sounds promising. I'm not sure now if I want you to keep your promise or break it."
A naughty look crossed her face that had Ranger wishing that he had taken his pants off first. His erection became harder, which he thought was impossible. He was finding that things he thought that impossible suddenly became possible when Buffy was around. "How about I keep my promise and we explore those naughty thoughts later? Right now I'd like to finish with the apologizing so we can move onto the making up, my favorite part." His mega-watt smile could have lit the city block.
He suddenly found himself on his back staring up at sexy blonde with fire in her eyes. Ranger swallowed not sure what would happen next. Was she going to kick his ass or let him stay?
"So," Buffy leaned down to bite his lower lip. "You no longer have control issues and trust me to handle things on my own?" The question hung heavy in the air between them.
"I trust you, Buffy. With my life and everything that I have," he answered her honestly.
"Good answer. Let's see you prove it. You have to do everything I say, when I say it, deal?"
Ranger nodded, not sure if he just made a deal with the devil but knew that he needed to show Buffy that he meant what he said.
She gifted him with a glorious smile before climbing off him. Ranger didn't say a word just frowned at the loss of her warmth. Buffy quickly removed his remaining clothes, pulled him further up on the bed, then moved over to her dresser. He strained to see what she was doing without moving from where she placed him on the bed. Ranger could hear her opening and closing drawers as she hummed to herself. Buffy walked back over to him with her hands behind her back.
"Close you eyes," she told him.
Ranger shut his eyes and heard material move followed by the soft 'thump' of the towel hitting the ground. The bed swayed slightly when Buffy crawled back on, scooting over to resume her place astride his chest. Leaning down, she whispered in his ear. "This will be my ride. I'm totally in control, I'll say stop, go, and when to take the curves. Are you still ready?" Ranger nodded, his tongue came out to lick his lips. She leaned forward further to tease it with her own. "This is a matter of trust, of letting someone else have control." Her words wrapped around him, soaking into his skin. They had more impact since he couldn't see her only feel her, hear her.
Buffy poured scented oil on Ranger's broad chest. Cinnamon filled the air before the oil started heating everywhere she touched. She swept her hands down his arm, stretching, reaching out for a hand, pulling it up to massage it between her hands, one finger at a time. Buffy didn't give Ranger's fingers the tender treatment he gave her toes. She bit down on the pinky finger's nail before dragging her teeth down the outside then back up again. Buffy lay down on his chest, placed her arms on top of Ranger's, and drug her nails along his skin, leaving red marks in their wake. Moving back, she whispered for him to open his eyes.
Ranger's lids fluttered open, while his body hummed with sensation. His dark gaze took in an amazing site, which caused his breathing to increase, and his heart to race. Buffy sat back with her legs bent on either side of his chest. Her hands rested on his knees as she caressed plump full breasts. Leaning her head back with her eyes closed, Buffy teased her nipples until they formed tight peaks. A soft moan escaped her lips. Ranger's fingers dug into the covers to keep them from replacing her small hands with his much larger ones.
Buffy lifted her hips, positioning her sex directly over Ranger's erection and slid her moist heat across the hard length. Ranger swore his eyes almost crossed with the efforts of restraining himself from touching or moving against her. He wanted nothing more than to sink into her waiting heat and lose himself.
"Can you feel how much I want you? Do you want to feel me wrapping around you? Take you inside me and hold you there until we both explode?" Buffy's hips never stopped moving as she huskily whispered.
Ranger thought he would lose his mind if he didn't touch her, feel her, taste her soon. "Yes, anything, please," he answered hoarsely.
"Please, what?" Buffy slid her body the tip of his manhood. She positioned herself where their sexes gently kissed, then using her vaginal muscles rippled them across the head of Ranger's cock.
Ranger's back arched of its own accord, his eyes closed, and he practically shouted. "I want you, only you. Please, Buffy, now."
"Then lose control Ranger, I'll catch you. I'll always catch you." Her hips slid down just a little further, encompassing the entire head, but moving no further.
He opened his eyes to stare into her face. Ranger leaned forward, seating himself fully within her as his arms came up to support her lower back. Buffy wrapped her legs around him as her arms went around his neck to bring his lips down to hers. Their tongues dueled while matching moans filled the air. They stilled, pulled apart, and leaned their foreheads together as they became lost in each other.
In a silent agreement, their bodies started moving together in a fast steady pace. Ranger knew that he wouldn't last long and simply let his passions free. He'd never allowed himself that luxury before, or was it that he never felt secure enough to try.
"That's right, baby, let it go. Let it all go. I'm here and I'll be here as long as you want me," she whispered softly, nipping at his jawline.
His strong body arched up as her equally powerful one slammed down to meet it in an age old dance. Sweat glistened on their bodies as they felt the pleasure rising higher and higher ready to explode within them.
"Let it go, Ranger, come with me," Buffy's said in the sexiest, huskiest voice Ranger had ever heard. He had no choice but to obey when he felt her soft folds flutter then spasm around him. Ranger fell back on the bed pulling Buffy with him.
He brushed the hair away from her face as he tried to calm his breathing. "I think I might have to lose control more often." Ranger gave a soft bark of laughter.
Buffy wrinkled her nose at him before smiling. "It's not so bad to let someone else take control, huh?"
She lay her legs on Ranger's when he stretched his out. Buffy snuggled her head under his chin, listening to his heart slowly return to a steady beat. His arms automatically came up to surround her, holding her in place, as if he would never let her go. The room was quiet, only the sound of their breathing could be heard, and a soft moan if either moved, teasing over sensitized nerve endings.
"You know," Ranger sighed, his eyes already closing, "we make a great team. Maybe we should be partners. You could teach me how to lose control, and I can teach you how to be more cautious."
Heavy lidded green eyes winked open, slender golden fingers stopped caressing a smooth mocha chest, a mischievous smile graced plump thoroughly kissed lips, before they announced in a sultry sleep filled voice, "That would be yummy, mmm, just think of all the chances you would get for me to punish you if you went back on your word. Maybe we could come up with a bartering system based on how bad you mess up. To make it fair, we would have to do the same with me being cautious."
Ranger's eyes popped open as pictures swam through his head. The idea of bartering for punishments for the actions that they fought over with each other, and agreeing on what was acceptable, rocked his world. Of course, Buffy did that without even trying. He wondered what was next, after knowing her even this small amount of time, Ranger knew the other shoe was about to drop.
"I know the perfect name to change the company to. What do you think about the Buff Man Inc?" A small giggle escaped. "Or, I know the Buff Rangers, like on the TV. All the guys could wear a different color. I think that Tank would look awesome in p-iiiii-nk!" Buffy squealed before she burst out laughing. Tears streamed down her cheeks as Ranger flipped her over in the bed, and came down on top of her.
"Gorgeous, life will never be boring with you around." Ranger bent down to caress the edge of her lips with his tongue. He traced them ever so slowly. He drew the outline, dipped into the small valley beneath the nose, tickled the sensitive corners before making his way back to where he started. The warm velvety edge swept over a pouting lower lip that had tempted demons, humans, and two vampires with souls. Tenderly swirling the tip around the pearl, the apple falling from the forbidden fruit of a woman's mouth. The tongue wrapped out this succulent fruit and suckled like a newborn babe.
Slipping away from the freely offered bounty, two tongues dueled not for dominance, rather to caress the other to give more. Hearts pressed together allowing only one heartbeat to sound in the room. Ranger pulled away to gaze into the green eyes that he thought he could lose himself in forever.
"Buffy," his voice sounded, low, sexy, and dangerous. "I'll try with everything I have to make this work with us. The only thing that I ask is that you'll be honest with me. If you want out at any time then tell me, don't just walk away. I hate when people just leave me." His eyes grew distant and his jaw clenched.
This was the closest that Buffy had ever seen into the inner working of Ranger. Hopefully, if she didn't screw it up, she would have a long, long time to figure out his past and their future.
She wiggled on top of him "How about Buff the Bounty Hunter and Range Boy, her trusty sidekick?"
A loud swat, followed by a yelp, quickly followed much laughter rang throughout the apartment and for many years to come.
~~ The End ~~~