Buffy was almost ready when she heard the doorbell ring. Ranger's deep voice rumbled in her sensitive hearing. A huge grin spread across her face when she heard him yelling at Bob to get off him. The face that looked back at her in the mirror was different somehow. Buffy realized that she was relaxed. The feeling was unusual for her, almost uncomfortable. Thinking back on everything that she lived or died through, as the case may be, she realized this was the first time in over seven years that she could be herself. The gift or powers her prolonged time as a Slayer weren't important. Here in Trenton, it was more a matter of who you were, rather than what you were. It felt good to be taken at face value. Buffy smiled even brighter; she could finally have a life here, far away from vampires or demons. She finished her makeup then headed for the stairs. For a minute, she wondered why she accepted the date and what repercussions there would be for her or Ranger. An elegant shrug of her shoulder put the stray thought to the back of her mind. It wouldn't be the first time that she jumped into a situation without knowing how it would turn out. Somehow, she knew that she would make the most of whatever happened.
Ranger turned when he heard her heels clicking on the stairs. He tried to keep a smile off his face but Stephanie kept staring at him. He felt a sudden need for air when he saw a toned golden calf followed by the rest of her came into view.
Stephanie knew she looked like a mook but she couldn't help it. She couldn't remember ever seeing Ranger in anything but black camo pants and T-shirts. Now, here he was, in her house, dressed, well dress like a GQ model. He wore khaki dress pants that hugged him in all the right places and they were paired with a dark chocolate silk shirt. It made his eyes look even blacker. Stephanie had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Ranger wore the exact same expression when he saw Buffy come into view. She admitted that her cousin had a style all her own. It wasn't Trenton's standard for dress but on Buffy, it was perfect. She wore a cream dress that was held up by a single shoulder strap. It left her upper chest and shoulder bare. The dress floated around her body, coming to a few inches above her knees with a handkerchief hem. It wasn't form fitting but when she moved there was no doubt that a great body was just out of sight.
Bob rushed over only to skid to a stop the minute her foot touched the living room floor. He waited patiently for Buffy to pay attention to him. His tail hit at a furious pace when she bent down to scratch him behind the ears.
"You're such a good boy. Yes, you are." Buffy crooned to the large dog.
Ranger decided that he would happily changed places with Stephanie's hyper dog. He watched Buffy coo to the ugly beast, as if he were the best-behaved dog in the world.
She gave Bob one last pat then moved to stand in front of her 'date.' Buffy admitted to herself that Ranger looked good, but of course, he already knew that. She wasn't used to be around someone who was so sure of themselves. Tyler always wanted to be in the spotlight, afraid that he would be overlooked otherwise. Pike was part wild man, part loner. He wasn't sure from one minute to the next what he was supposed to do. Angel, yes Angel, for all his years was one of the most scared persons that Buffy had ever met. Riley was all soldier boy. He wanted orders to follow and an orderly life. Then there was Spike - the Big Bad. For all his bluster and spite, he was still the softhearted poet underneath that black leather duster. Buffy smiled softly, remembering him holding her the night she was thrown out of the house. Then their final goodbye before he gave his life for her and the world.
Ranger watched Buffy's face while she stood silently in front of him. He wondered what she was thinking that caused that soft smile. Something told him that it wasn't aimed at him, no matter how much he wished that it was.
"Will I need a jacket?"
Buffy's question brought Ranger's mind back to reality. "No, it's warm at night this time of year. If you're ready we can go."
She turned to speak to Stephanie. "We shouldn't be out too late, don't feel like you need to wait up. I have my key." She moved to the front door, only to find Ranger standing there holding it for her. "You are really into the stealth mode aren't you?"
"Gorgeous, I'm into any mode you want." His dark eyes went completely black when he allowed her to see exactly what he meant.
Stephanie watched them and it was all she could do to keep her jaw from dropping. Never in a million years did she ever think she would see Ranger act this way. It kind of freaked her out. Batman was supposed to stay cool and aloof then make the women fight for his attention. Buffy and Ranger were screwing up her Super-hero infatuation. But, she found that she didn't mind so much. It would do Ranger some good to react like a 'normal' person.
They drove along in Ranger's black BMW 830 Ci, neither one saying a word. Buffy was leaning back on the headrest with her eyes closed. She didn't open them when she heard a soft question from the driver's seat.
"¿Magnífico, usted se es cansado realmente, o es usted acaba de ignorar mí?" (Gorgeous, are you really tired, or are you just ignoring me?)
"Si planeé a ignorarle yo no habría aceptado su invitación. Acabo de gozar para no tener que trabajar esta noche." (If I planned on ignoring you, I wouldn't have accepted your invitation. I'm just enjoying not having to work tonight.) She answered in fluent Spanish.
It amazed him that even her accent and emphasis on certain vowels was correct. "You used to work at night in California? What did you do?"
Buffy could hear the interest in his voice. Stephanie told her how Ranger could take the smallest bit of information and soon had every detail of a person's life. She had no intention of allowing him even a peak into hers. "You could say that," was her cryptic response.
He glanced over at her again to see the peaceful expression on her face. He rather enjoyed her keeping her eyes closed because he could look at her to his heart's content. It bothered him that he couldn't get into her head to find out what he wanted to know about her, mostly everything.
"You should keep your eyes on the road, unless you want to have a wreck."
Ranger reluctantly turned back to the business of driving. It took him a few minutes to realize that she hadn't opened her eyes. How, the hell, does she do that?
"Tai chi, it allows you to relax your body, so your other senses take over. I heard your head move against the headrest." She answered him in the quiet darkness of the car. Buffy settled further into the luxurious leather seat. It was hard to keep the smile from her face. It was going well; her plan to keep Ranger on his toes.
He gave up trying to figure her out since they were almost to the restaurant. A few minutes later, his sleek black car pulled into a small parking lot. This place was owned by a Cuban family that he had known for the last ten years. He came here when he wanted to relax and take a step away from his life as Ranger. Here he was simply, Ricardo Carlos Manoso, a good Cuban boy according to Doña Isabella Fernández García. She was the reigning matriarch of the Fernández family. Ranger couldn't wait to see what she would think of Buffy. Doña Isabella was always telling him that he needed a good Cuban girl to settle down with and have lots of bambinos.
Buffy's eyes opened when he turned off the car. She patiently waited for him to open the door for her. Placing her hand in his, Ranger helped her out then captured it in the crook of his arm. She didn't make a fuss, allowing him to escort her into the restaurant. She could hear the music softly playing and found herself wanting to dance. All her years of dance came rushing through her body while her pulse kept time with the Latin beat.
They stepped into the quaint colorful building and a small older woman met them. She wore her hair beautifully wrapped a top her head and held in place with intricate Spanish combs. Her eyes were small and coal black. Buffy had a feeling that this woman could have taken on the First Evil herself and won. She didn't miss a thing and probably saw what was beneath a person's skin. Her face broke into a beautiful smile when she saw Ranger followed by a slight scowl when she took in Buffy at his side.
Doña Isabella took in the small blonde who arrived on Ricardo's arm. She was a tiny thing who probably only ate small salads and would turn up her nose at the sight of Moros y cristianos (black beans and rice), arroz con pollo. Doña Isabella saw it as her duty to make Ranger see the error of his taste in women. She moved towards them like a Spanish Galleon. The small woman had the essence of a General going into battle.
Ranger saw the glint in Doña Isabella's eyes and moved to head her off at the pass. This may have been a bad idea, bringing Buffy here but he wanted her to see the real him, not just his Ranger persona. "Doña Isabella, usted mira tan encantador como jamás. Yo le he perdido. ¿Cuándo saldrá usted Juan y se escapa conmigo?" (Doña Isabella, you are looking as lovely as ever. I have missed you. When are you going to leave Juan and run away with me?) Ranger bent down to take her hand in his and kiss it. He gave her one of his thousand watt smiles hoping to charm her into to not attacking Buffy.
Buffy moved around Ranger to greet the woman who obviously meant a lot to her date. She looked the older woman straight in the eye. The older woman looked her up and down as if she were a bug. Buffy gave her a respectful smile then did something that surprised Doña Isabella - she curtsied. "Es un placer de encontrarle, la señora. Yo no he oído no al Flamenco en el muchisimo tiempo. Mi niñera dijo mí que no había nada tan hermoso como la música jugada por un cubano verdadero. Veo que ella era correcta. ¿Es relacionado el músico muy talentoso a usted?" (It is a pleasure to meet you, madam. I haven't heard the Flamenco in a very long time. My nanny told me that there was nothing as beautiful as the music played by a true Cuban. I see that she was correct. Is the very talented musician related to you?).
Doña Isabella was shocked to hear her native tongue spoken fluently by this small golden child. Her own manners came to the forefront to offer her hospitality to one who gave such a proper greeting. "Si, child it is my grandson Fernando. He is very talented and makes his Madre very proud."
"She has a lot to be proud about. Please, tell me that you have Ajiaco Cubano, I haven't had it a very long time. The minute that I heard the music, all I could think of was the wonderful taste of my Niñera's cooking."
"Niño, that dish will feed more than just the two of you."
"Then you will have to join us, si?" Buffy smiled at her and waited for her answer.
"Si, me and my Juan will join you. Fernando will want to pull up a chair as well; it is his favorite as well. Ricardo where have you been hiding this delightful girl? You should have brought her to meet me long before this." Isabella put her arm around Buffy's small waist and led her into the restaurant.
Ranger watched them walk away, not sure, if what he witnessed really happened. He remembered Stephanie talking about Buffy's gift for making even the gruffest person like her. His head shot up when he heard his name being called. Looking up he saw Juan, Isabella's husband, standing in front of him.
"Ricardo, I see that you have finally brought someone to meet us. Where did you find such a beautiful woman that my Isabella would approve of?"
"I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time." Ranger shook hands with his old friend. They both made their way over to the table where Buffy and Isabella were deep in discussion.
Buffy could feel Ranger getting closer. She knew that he was staring at her but she tried not to let it show. This was the first time since she moved from LA that she didn't miss Sophia. She was who Buffy ran to when her parents fought or she had a bad dream. A soft hand came up to caress her cheek.
The sadness that Buffy didn't realize was hidden deep in her eyes called out to the grandmother in Isabella. "What is your name, child?"
"Buffy." Was the whispered answer while Buffy closed her eyes and reveled in the maternal caress. She missed her mom at times like this.
"Boofy, that is an unusual name but you are an unusual girl. I have not seen Ricardo so taken with a woman before. Although, he rarely brings any of them here. There has really only been one other and she was not around for very long. She only wanted his money, not him the man underneath. I can see that his money is not important to you. You have had money before haven't you?"
Buffy was startled by the question. No one ever knew the type of lifestyle that her and her mother left behind in LA. Her father was a successful partner of a prestigious law firm. Money was never a problem until they moved to Sunnydale. Buffy always thought that her parents were punishing one another, her father by not paying child support and her mother by taking her away.
Ranger watched the two women for a moment before he sat down beside Buffy. He hated to interrupt but had a feeling that if he didn't that he would lose his date for the rest of the evening. Buffy looked up at him startled for the first time. Lost in thought and conversation, she didn't hear or feel him approach the table. It was the first time that she wondered why she was so attuned to his actions. The music stopped at that exact moment and Buffy forgot what she was thinking to clap. Fernando was waved over by his proud grandmother.
A young handsome man who was unmistakably of Cuban descent. Thick black hair and snapping eyes caught your attention but it was the way that he moved that kept it. Fernando literally floated across the floor in beat with music that must still be playing in his head. His dark eyes smoldered with appreciation of the beautiful woman that was sitting beside his abuela. He was caught in a pair of sparkling hazel eyes that smiled along with her beautiful pink lips.
Ranger didn't like the way the young musician was looking at Buffy, no he didn't like it one bit. The strange feeling of jealousy and desire to make his claim on the small blonde came over him so fast he felt dizzy. He stood up to shake Fernando's hand. "You are even better than the last time I heard you Nando. I want you to meet my date, Buffy Summers. Buffy, this is Nando." Ranger's eyes told the younger man not to even think of poaching.
"It is a pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman. Buffy, an unusual name but somehow fitting." He ignored his friend and bent over Buffy's hand. His lips brushed her knuckles while his thumb caressed her palm.
"Thank you, Fernando. I wanted to tell you that you play beautifully. It made me want to dance." Buffy smiled at him but smoothly took her hand back, placing it in her lap.
"You can dance to our music, bella? Please will you show us, I imagine you dance like a dream?"
"Perhaps after we eat and if Ranger agrees to dance with me." Buffy looked at her date and waited to hear his answer.
"I would be happy to dance with you, gorgeous. First, I need to make sure that you will have enough energy to keep up with me." Ranger pulled her hand out of her lap and pressed his own lips to the exact place that Fernando kissed mere moments before.
"Ranger, you shouldn't make assumption. I bet I can not only out eat you but I can out dance you as well." The light of battle was back in Buffy's eyes causing the air in the room to crackle with energy.
Dona Isabella clapped her hands to break the tension. "What you must be thinking of me? I must go and see to the cooking before your beautiful compañero thinks that we are not civilized. Nando come and help your abuela." Her small hands waved in the air as she started calling out orders to one and all in the general vicinity.
Buffy hadn't taken her eyes off Ranger who still held her hand. When she tried to pull it away, Ranger kept his hold on it. He was careful not to crush her fingers but had no intention of letting her go. "I believe that is mine."
"Perhaps you will let me borrow it for the night." He leaned close to whisper huskily in her ear.
A small shiver went racing down her spine. Buffy decided that two could play this game. Her eyelids fell down heavy on her cheeks, and then she leaned in close to him. "Ranger." She let her voice hold an airy tone, pushing the air out to blow softly close to his ear.
"Yes, querida." His eyes drank in the sight of her, wondering if this was the way she looked and sounded when she made love.
Buffy moved closer to him and licked his ear. "If you don't let go of my hand, I will have to make you in front of all these nice people. I would hate to do that but don't for a minute think that I won't. Now, the choice is up to you, the easy way," she took his ear lobe between her teeth and bit it softly. "Or, the hard way." This time her teeth were not so gentle.
Ranger's eyes almost crossed and his body responded to both the promise and the threat. "Be careful, gorgeous, I may take you up on that. Both ways sound good to me, as long as you're along for the ride." Reluctantly, he let go of her hand when he saw her eyes flare even hotter, not to mention Dona Isabella approaching with a huge platter of food. She was followed by no less than four other people. "We both have a reprieve but I want to take up this subject later."
Ranger and the rest of the Fernandez family watched in wonder as Buffy out ate them all. Each person was wondering where she put all that food. It certainly didn't show on her body. When dinner was over and everyone sipped on sweet Sangria, Fernando once again began to play.
Ranger pushed back his chair then put his hand out in invitation to Buffy. "I believe that I promised you a dance, gorgeous."
Buffy took his hand then stood up, only to find that Ranger pulled at the same time. Her body was pressed next to his causing her to have to crane her neck to look up into his face. He smiled down at her for a moment then stepped back to allow her to walk out to the small dance floor. Buffy went to the very center and turned her back to him. Ranger came up behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. She placed her hand in his then felt him pull. Her body spun out in a full circle until they were side by side. Her hand went up, Ranger mirrored her movements. The walls seemed to melt away until it was only the two of them surrounded by the music. The heavy base beat wrapped itself around them while they moved to Fernando's talented playing. Their feet moved back and forth, toes snapping to the hard wood floor. The intricate footwork looked effortless as everyone watched the two of them dance.
The music stopped with a flourish of Fernando's fingers. Ranger pulled Buffy into his arms and his lips captured hers. His strong hand cupped her golden head as he gently asked for permission into her sweet mouth. The music and the dancing had Buffy's heart racing, she opened her lips and allowed Ranger inside. His heart raced even faster when he felt her pulse under his fingers jump. It was a heady feeling to think that he was able to cause that reaction in this woman. The one woman he found he really wanted and wasn't sure of getting. It wasn't a normal situation for Ranger and he wasn't sure how to get around the walls that she had up, but he was never one to walk away from a challenge. Buffy was the most exciting woman he had ever met and he didn't plan on letting her slip away from him. He didn't stop to wonder why he wanted her so much or why she blew hot and cold, frankly he found it made her even more interesting.
Buffy stepped out of Ranger's arms into Dona Isabella's. The older woman wrapped her strong arms around the tiny blonde. She leaned back then took Buffy's face between her hands to kiss each of Buffy's flushed cheeks. "Boofy, you were wonderful niño, your niñera taught you well. You are welcome here anytime you wish."
Buffy had to blink away the sudden tears that came to her eyes. "Dona Isabella, you bring back all the happy memories of my childhood, gracias. The food was wonderful not to mention Fernando's talented playing."
Ranger watched them for a few minutes then stepped up to take the small older woman in his arms. He spun her around in circles causing her to laugh, and then blushed when he kissed her loudly on both cheeks. "I will bring her back often, Dona. We had better get back to town. As always, the food and company were wonderful."
They were heading back to Trenton in silence, but it was a heavy silence this time. Both were lost in thought over all that happened tonight, Ranger kept glancing over at her then back to the road in front of them. Half an hour later, he pulled the car to stop in front of Joe Morelli's house. Turning the motor off but leaving the music softly playing, he turned in the seat to look at Buffy in the semi-dark car.
"I hope that you had a good time, Buffy. I know that I did." His hand moved to touch her cheek in a soft caress. His fingers walked down her neck to pull her forward. He met her halfway then captured her bottom lip with a soft nibble of his teeth causing her to laugh. Ranger saw his chance and took it. One hand held her tilted back while the other pressed her upper body to his; he fought to keep from moaning when Buffy's tongue met his in a sexy duel for dominance. He realized that what he found the most interesting about Buffy was that she was part sex kitten, part tigress. She never did what he thought that she would. It was always exciting to see what she would do or say next.
"I had a nice time, Ricardo." She said his name with the proper accent. Buffy rolled her R's loving the way it sounded. "Meeting Dona Isabella and her family brought back nice memories." This time she pulled him forward and when their lips almost met she bit his bottom lip. Ranger couldn't stop the snort of soft laughter from erupting. "I like to give as good as I get."
He pulled her across the seat until she was lying in his lap. "I have noticed that about you. Why is it so important for you?" His hand caressed her bare arm while she leaned her head back against the window to look up at him.
"Let's just say that because of the way that I look people have always thought that they knew what was best for me. I finally had to learn that no matter how much I cared about them that no one can know me better than me. Learning to take care of myself and trust my own instincts has kept me alive. I never intend to allow anyone to tell me what to do again."
Ranger watched her face with its expressive hazel eyes and the way that the streetlights played over the delicate planes of her cheeks. He never met a woman like her before with so many different sides. "I think that anyone who didn't know that you don't take orders well is a moron."
Her eyebrow rose at his words. "Does that include you? You seemed to think that you could tell me what to do from the first moment we met. Even though I had you on your ass before you knew I was there."
Instead of answering her, Ranger pulled her close only to bury his face in her neck. They laughed when she squealed. "I guess I better walk you to the door before Stephanie comes out here to sick Bob on me."
He gently sat her back in her seat then got out of the car to come around and open her door. They walked up to the porch in a comfortable silence this time. Ranger knew that he was only over the first hurdle with Buffy but he would take what he could get. Buffy stood in front of the door trying to think what to say to him. She didn't feel quite as defensive with Ranger, feeling like she knew him a little bit better but still not enough to trust him completely. He took the moment of silence to take her into his arms once more. His mouth devoured hers this time, not a gentle request for admittance but a demanding storming of the walls. Buffy met him demand for demand while she buried her fingers in his thick hair.
The next morning Buffy woke up and put her running clothes on then went to find Bob. He was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs with his leash in his mouth. She laughed at him then headed for the front door. Joe came out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hand.
"You are up awful early this morning. I thought you went out with Ranger last night." He sipped his coffee waiting for her answer.
"I did but it was just dinner, we got back early. If Steph comes down before I get back, tell her that I won't be too long then we can go into the office together. Did she tell you that I am going to teach her how to defend herself? If you want to come by and help out, we should be at the warehouse about 3:00. Vinnie promised that it would be set up by then."
He nodded still not sure how he felt about Stephanie thinking that she was even more indestructible. Joe looked over Buffy still not understanding how she was able to take down men that were twice her size or armed. He wouldn't have believed it, if he hadn't seen her do it with his own eyes. Buffy waived at him then headed out the front door, she snapped her fingers and Bob followed dutifully behind her. Joe shook his head not understanding how she did that any better than Stephanie did. Speaking of his beautiful lover, he heard the shower running. A slow smile spread across his face when he decided to go help her wash all those hard to reach places.
Buffy ran down the side of the road heading for the park that was only a mile away from Joe's townhouse. Bob lopped along beside her barking every few hundred yards. He seemed to be talking to her or himself, she wasn't exactly sure. Feeling someone moving behind her, Buffy stepped to the right then quickly spun around.
"Whoa, I give up." A nice looking man with dark blonde hair and blue eyes stood with his hands in the air.
"Who are you and why were you sneaking up on me?" Bob gave a loud woof while he tried to pull his leash out of her hand, intent on getting at the man who was bothering his favorite person. She watched the man move further back. "Good boy, Bob. It is okay, Mr.?" Her eyebrow rose waiting for him to give his name.
"I wasn't following you; well I was but not that way. I'm Jason Fellows." He gave her his best boy next-door smile and put his hand out.
Buffy looked at it as if he offered her something that didn't smell like a rose. "That is nice to know but you still didn't answer my question."
"I'm not a deviant or anything; I work for the FBI and am a friend of Joe Morelli. See I'm harmless. I saw you running here the other morning and wanted to know if you would like someone to run with?"
"No thanks, Bob is all that I need right now and the next time you want to ask someone a question you should try introducing yourself like normal people do. If you will excuse me, Mr. Bellows I have a run to finish." Buffy spun on her heal and gave Bob's leash a slight tug. "Come on boy, lets get in that run then go back for some breakfast." Talking about food perked Bob right up. "Yeah, you like the sound of that don't you boy."
Jason watched her run off with the large dog following on her heels. His eyes took in the sight of her powerful legs and tight rear. He liked what he saw. Now he just needed to find a way to get her to go out with him. Jason knew that as soon as he could get Morelli to put in a good word for him the pretty blonde would give in to his obvious appeal. After a date or two, she would tell him exactly what he needed to know about Stephanie and Ranger. Women always told him whatever he wanted, falling for his clean good looks. He turned to run back to his car that was parked a few blocks over.
Stephanie was sitting at the kitchen table with a very satisfied smile on her face sipping coffee. Buffy came in the front door with Bob close on her heals. "Well you certainly look like the cousin that licked the cop this morning." She laughed when Stephanie spewed coffee all over the table.
"BUFFY! I can't believe you said that." She mopped up the coffee with a dishtowel.
"Why? Are you going to tell me that smile is from coffee? If so then give me some, cuz."
"No, but still I mean it, I mean you, oh never mind. Do you want some coffee?" Without waiting for a reply, Stephanie got up and went to retrieve another cup. She sat it on the table in front of her cousin, who was trying not to laugh. "How was your date last night? You didn't stay out too late. I think I heard you come in about 11:00. I thought Ranger would keep you out later than that."
"I told you that we were only going to dinner. We had a nice dinner at an excellent Cuban restaurant. I haven't had food that good since I lived in LA." Buffy smiled remembering meeting the Fernandez family.
Stephanie caught the smile and wondered if Buffy had fallen for the famous Ranger charm. "Buffy, you know that Ranger isn't really boyfriend material, right?" Concern shown in her clear blue eyes, while she waited to hear what happened to cause the smile.
"Don't worry, Steph, I'm not jumping in feet first. No, the family that ran the restaurant just reminded me of the woman who helped raise me. We had a nice dinner then danced then came home. It was just a regular date not a promise of marriage. I'm going to go and take a shower then we can go into the office. Bring a bag and we can go to the warehouse at 3:00 for your first lesson. I told Joe that he could come by if he had some free time. Figured that it would help him to see where I am corrupting you." She gulped down her coffee then rushed up the stairs glad that she thought ahead enough to bring several outfits so they wouldn't need to go back to the apartment.
When Stephanie and Buffy walked into the office, they found Lula and Connie listening at the door to Vinnie's office. The motioned for Buffy and Stephanie to be quiet. After several minutes, they moved away and pulled the two women with them over to the file cabinets.
"What's up? Is Vinnie in there with Ranger?" Stephanie asked the question that Buffy wanted to know.
"No, it's worse. Joyce showed up about an hour ago and went straight inside without even knocking. I heard that the guy she thought would be hubby number four backed out at the last minute. She must be strapped for cash. We didn't think anything of it until they both started barking. Girl, the pictures that are going through my mind ain't pretty." Lula shook her head causing her Day-Glo beads to clatter against each other.
Connie piped up. "Joyce asked Vinnie to give her first call on all the cases, especially the ones that are your regulars Stephanie. From the sounds coming out of his office, he will give her anything she asks as long as she keeps doing whatever they are doing."
"I can't believe it. I thought I was finally free of having her screw with my life. If I had a choice I would find a way to get her to move far away from Trenton."
"Steph, is this the bitch that broke in your dining room table?" The others felt a shiver go down their spines at the hard edge in Buffy's voice. Lula unconsciously took a step back. "I think that it is time that someone taught ole JB a less, don't you?" A malicious gleam came into her eyes while plans ran through her mind.
"Buffy, she is just one of those things that I have to live with. It has been this way since kindergarten." Stephanie sighed heavily.
"No, she is something that you need to deal with in a way that will let her know that she doesn't want to mess with you anymore. I have an idea, come here." Everyone gathered around while Buffy whispered her plan for taking out Joyce.
Lula's eyes went large then a bright white smile broke out on her face. "Girl, you are the bomb. How did you ever think up something like that and who are we going to get to do it?"
"Don't worry about that, I'll take care of everything. All I need to know is when she will be there. The rest is a piece of cake." She grinned making her eyes sparkle with glee. This would be a chance to payback all the Joyce Barnhardts in everyone's life. She remembered all the crap that Cordelia dished out to her and wondered why she took it. It didn't matter now but it pissed her off that she never did anything.
"Uh, Buffy, you aren't going to hurt her are you? I hate Joyce but I don't want to hurt her, well not much anyway." Her big blue eyes showed her doubt about her cousin's plan.
"I promise that no one will lay a single finger on her, scout's honor." Buffy held up four fingers then crossed her heart.
"Okay, I can have Lula follow her then call us when she is at home."
"Me, why do I have to follow her skanky ass all around town?" Lula's bottom lip jutted out and her arms were crossed over her ample chest.
"Your car is the only one that she won't recognize. The only time she has ever seen you, we have been in one of my cars. Please Lula; I need you to do this."
"Aiight, but you owe me and I mean big time."
Just then, Vinnie's door opened and a woman with died red hair and huge breasts sashayed into the front office. "What are you losers doing over there, trying to remember your ABC's so you can help the hooker learn how to file?"
Lula moved forward ready to pull every fake red hair out of Joyce's hair. Buffy put a hand on her arm then shook her head. She walked forward eyeing Stephanie's nemesis up and down with an expression that left no doubt to her feelings. Buffy moved around Joyce shaking her head and clucking her tongue every so often.
"What is your problem, blondie? Who are you anyways? Another whore off the street that Vinnie decided to help. Connie, you simply have to stop getting help from Whores 'R Us." Joyce waited for the little blonde to get upset but was sadly disappointed when all she did was smile.
"I believe if he did that you would be out of a job. I've heard of doggy style but you take it to a new level. Tell me how much did that boob job cost you, cause I have to say, you should get your money back. They look more like rockets ready to take of than breasts. The word you should look up is proportional. I know that it has lots of letters and vowels but maybe you know someone who could look it up for you."
Joyce's face turned red with anger and embarrassment. "Why you little.." Her hand came up to slap Buffy or if nothing else pull some hair.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Joyce. Buffy took Ranger down just imagine what she could do to you." Stephanie said proudly.
Joyce looked at the tiny blonde with if not respect then speculation. She turned her nose up then headed for the door. "I don't have time to waste with you losers. I have an FTA to snag." She sashayed out the door.
The four women broke out laughing when the door slammed shut.
"Man, I have never seen Joyce so pissed. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Stephanie hugged her cousin. She felt on top of the world just like Wonder Woman defeating an evil foe.
Stephanie and Buffy were on their way to pick up a FTA on the other side of Trenton when they saw a dark green Explorer pass them. They looked at each other with the same light of battle in their eyes. Stephanie floored her in an effort to catch up with Joyce's SUV. She cussed under her breath at the thought of Joyce Barnhardt taking her FTA. She needed the money to pay her credit cards not to mention the file was assigned to her. Stephanie knew that Connie didn't give her the information, so that left only Vinnie, her slime ball cousin.
"Hey Steph, how about we let her think that she pulled a fast one. I have a feeling that she won't be around too much longer to take anything from anyone in Trenton." Buffy rubbed her hands together as her plan played out in her mind. This was going to be more fun than taking out the latest demon that strolled into to town. This was payback for Stephanie, who shouldn't have to put up with any of this crap. Especially, from the woman who her ex cheated on in her own home.
"Okay, but I want you to know that I needed that FTA to pay my bills."
"I'll make you a deal; I will share my next FTA with you. Trust me it will more than double what you would have gotten from this one. How about we go on over to the warehouse and start your first lesson."
Stephanie was equal parts scared and excited. The idea that she would be able to handle herself without having to rely on Joe or Ranger pulling her butt out of the fire was tempting. But, she had a feeling that her cousin was going to make her work for it. She reluctantly turned her car around and headed towards the warehouse. "You never did tell me how you got Vinnie to give you a warehouse."
"Let's just say that we understand each other and the arrangement is good for both of us. Do you think that Lula was able to follow Joyce?"
"As long as she doesn't have a hunger emergency Lula will come through for us. I'm still not sure about this plan, plus who are you going to get to do this for you?"
Buffy looked out the window to hide her smile. She had no intention of telling Stephanie that she planned to take care of Joyce Barnhardt herself. It would be so much fun to make at least one spiteful bitch pay for all the crap she dished out but never seemed to pay for.
Buffy pushed the large door to the empty warehouse open and was pleasantly surprised. Vinnie out did himself. There was a large open area with light mats on the floor, in the corner was a wood stand to practice blows on, in yet another corner was a heavy bag hung from the ceiling. Buffy walked further into her new training room.
Stephanie looked around not sure what everything was used for but had a feeling she was about to find out. Of all the things in the room, it was the large floor mat in the middle that scared her the most. All she could see was Buffy throwing her from one corner to the other. Stephanie had a feeling she was going to get up close and personal with that floor for a very long time.
Buffy turned around and gave her a mega watt smile. It was obvious that she was in her element. "This is a great room, isn't it? Just wait Steph; you will love it after you get a few lessons under your belt. The bathroom is over there, why don't you go ahead and change clothes then we can get started."
"Aren't you going to change too?" Stephanie took in Buffy's outfit of low-rise jeans and a baby T-shirt.
"Did I get here in time?" Lula rushed in gasping for air.
"I thought you were following Joyce?" Stephanie asked exasperation clear in her voice.
"She won't be going anywhere for a while and I have my girlfriend, Jackie, watching her house. She had to go home and take a long shower." Lula's teeth gleamed so brightly they almost needed shades.
"Why what happened?" They both asked at the same time.
"You remember old man Hortz? He gave her the same treatment he gave you." The two best friends started laughing.
"Okay, let me in on the joke." Buffy pouted, knowing that she was missing out on a juicy story.
"When Stephanie went to collect Mr. Hortz, he set up a trap. He had buckshot ready and sent it whizzing through the door. When Stephanie hit the ground, it was straight into a pile of honey then he pulled a string that made this bag of feather come down on her. She looked like the Chicken Hut guy. He went one better this time and had bag of tar ready for her. It was great, I almost peed my pants when she kept trying to get up and fell down every time."
"Lula, do you want to stay and take lessons with Steph?" Buffy almost cracked up when the former prostitute's jaw dropped open.
"You mean you would teach me how to kick butt like you do? Aren't you afraid that I might squish you?" She really wanted to learn but didn't want to hurt Buffy or be embarrassed even if it was only Stephanie and Buffy.
"It will be fine Lula, I promise. You won't hurt me and we can take it as slow or fast as you want. Just think, if you could defend yourself it wouldn't be long until Vinnie would have to get someone else to do the filing and you could go after FTAs yourself." She smiled at the Stephanie's super-sized friend.
"I could have my own FTAs, not just help Stephanie out with hers?"
"Of course you can Lula; you can do anything if you want it enough. Right Stephanie, Lula would make a great BEA?"
The cousins talked with their eyes and came to a meeting of the minds. "Of course she will, I mean if I can do it she can. Can she workout in what she has on?"
"Of course, spandex is perfect for every occasion."
Lula gave another blinding smile. "You sure you are Stephanie's cousin? There must be some black in you somewhere, girl cuz you know 'bout all the important things." She grabbed Buffy and gave her a bone-cracking hug then went to the middle of the mat and did her best impression of the Karate Kid.
Buffy and Stephanie hid their smiles while they bit the inside of their cheeks to keep from laughing. They both knew that Lula would make the lessons wild and crazy.