Buffy threw her keys down on a table, then pulled her jacket off. Tapping a nail against her temple, she thought up and discarded idea after idea until an evil grin crossed her lips. If Ranger saw it, he would know he was in trouble.

"That is purrfect for you, Ricky-boy." Buffy giggled just thinking about it.

She picked up the phone to call Stephanie and Lula to send out the word. Last but not least, she called Ranger.

"Yo."

"Is that anyway to answer the phone?"

"Buffy, I was wondering if you were going to call. Have you decided?" His irritation was easy to hear over the phone.

"You're not a sore loser are you, Ricky?" She purred into the phone.

"Just tell me what I have to do and where I have to show up."

"Meet me at the Leather Lounge at 8:00. I'll send your costume; give me your address."

"Nice try, Gorgeous, send it to Vinnie's and I'll pick it up there."

"Get over yourself, Ricky. If I wanted to know where you lived, I'd track you down," Buffy snorted into the phone.

"Many have tried, all have failed," he taunted.

Ranger didn't realize that he had just waved a red flag in front of Buffy's face. "Catch ya later, Ricky. Oh yeah, your instructions will be included with the costume. You did say the winner got to call the shots for an entire night?"

He clenched his teeth, but before he could say anything, he heard her hang up. "Damn it."

"What's the matter, Boss?," Tank asked.

"Buffy," Ranger snapped.

"Oh, what did the tiny tornado say that has you so riled up?"

"I have to meet her at the Leather Lounge to pay off the bet. She is supplying the outfit."

"Don't sweat it. She is probably just yanking your chain. I mean, can you see Buffy in a place like that?" Both mean suddenly had glazed looks on their faces.

Buffy wrote a detailed list of instructions and included it in a large box. She tied a red ribbon around the outside, which caused her to start laughing. Tonight was going to be entertaining, to say the least. She couldn't wait to see Ranger's face when he opened the box, not to mention read the instructions.

The doorbell rang and Buffy picked up the box, taking to the door where a messenger waited. Now that it was on its way to Vinnie's and Stephanie promised to take a picture of his face, she made her way into the bedroom to start getting ready. Buffy looked at the bed, where her own special outfit lay. Her laughter rang out in the apartment. Yes, tonight promised to be an interesting night.

Ranger was not a happy man, in fact, he was furious. Only his closest friends could tell, and they were smart enough to laugh at him from a distance. He stood at the Leather Lounge bar dressed in skintight leather pants and nothing else but his boots.

Buffy's instructions were simple; dance with anyone that asked and was wearing a red ribbon. Easy right? How many could there be? He expected one or two to turn up to teach him a lesson, or possibly Buffy if he was lucky, but not this.

Tonight was Lady's Night, and every woman in the bar wore a red ribbon. It appeared that the entire female population of Trenton was here from Lula to Grandma Mazur.

He almost had a heart attack when Lula strutted up in a leather bustier that threatened to explode any minute from the pressure. She completed her outfit with leather mini shorts and thigh-high stiletto boots. Lula pulled him out on the floor to bump and grind to a fast song, starting an endless string of dances.

The last straw was when Grandma Mazur walked up in a leather bra covering her sagging breasts, leaving a pale wrinkled stomach for the world to see, but that wasn't enough. She wore leather pants that gave Ranger a bird's eye view of her shiny wrinkled rear as well. He stopped dead in his tracks, refusing to go any further. Turning around he headed back to the bar.

Ranger ordered a Tequila shot and swallowed it one gulp. That was when he heard a familiar voice over his shoulder.

"What's the matter, Ricky, bit off more that you can chew?" a husky voice purred in his ear.

Ranger spun around and his jaw dropped open, then snapped shut. Buffy wore a one-piece leather catsuit that fit her like a second skin. Her hair was curled loosely then mussed in a soft sexy style. Every eye in the bar was on them, waiting to see what would happen next.

"Tell you what, Ricky, you've been a good boy, why don't you go on home. I'm sure the girls can find someone else to dance with."

"Don't you want to dance?" His dark eyes roamed over her body.

"Brought my own date, thanks." She waved her hand as she passed him

Ranger grabbed her. "Don't play with me, Buffy. I don't like it."

"But, you expect others to play any way you want, whenever you want. You need to learn some new rules or play with different people. Now, take your hands off me."

He dropped them, not wanting to make an even bigger scene. "I'm sorry. I don't know why you set me off." His dark eyes turned soft, showing his true feelings.

Buffy sighed. "Ranger, I'm not trying to set you off, just don't tell me what to do. I'm not Stephanie, and I don't need rescuing. Deal?" She put her hand out for him to shake.

He put his large hand in hers. "Deal." Ranger pulled her into his arms; his lips were on hers before Buffy knew what he intended. He kissed her with all the pent up frustration and passion he felt.

Buffy gave into the kiss, then pulled away. "What was that for?"

"The best deals are always sealed with a kiss, didn't you know?" His eyes twinkled at her.

"Very funny, gotta go, don't want to keep my date waiting."

Ranger couldn't stop himself from asking. "Who did you come here with?" Buffy pointed to the person waiting by the door. "You're kidding me."

"Nope, said he wouldn't miss it for the world. We've been here since 7:30 watching the arrivals. Gotta say, your face when Grandma Mazur mooned you was priceless." She started giggling as she walked away.

Ranger watched Buffy join Big Dog at the door. Big Dog was dressed as the biggest bad ass biker Ranger had ever seen. He might have pulled it off, if it weren't for the extra large beer belly protruding from his middle. Ranger shook his head wondering if his reputation would survive Buffy Summers. Hell, would Trenton survive her?

Ladies Night at the Leather Lounge was the talk of Trenton for a solid week. Everywhere Ranger went women asked him to dance. He bit his tongue and smiled politely, knowing something else would come along to take his place in the limelight. He wondered how Stephanie handled it when she blew up a new car. Lost in thought, he almost missed a red and black motorcycle driving like a bat out of hell past him. His phone started ringing just as Buffy shot by the Bronco.

"Boss, just got word that Tito jumped bail," Tank sounded anxious on the phone.

"Shit! Let me guess, Vinnie bonded him and Buffy was in the office."

"You got it. That girl is fast. Connie said, she barely had time to type the papers, before Buffy shot out the door."

"Did anyone warn her about Tito and his hobby?"

"Lula tried," Tank hedged.

"Well," Ranged snapped, not liking where the conversation was headed.

"Lula said, and I quote, 'That girl got this scary look, made me think Tito betta run and run fast.'"

A string of cuss words in several different languages burst from Ranger's mouth.

"Tank, I'm following her now. We're on Fifth heading north. Get the guys and meet me. She's going to Eddie's."

"Adios Dios," Tank muttered under his breath. "We're right behind you, boss."

Tito Johnston, a known sex offender, who had a nasty habit of threatening his victim's lives. They never testified against him. To date, there were at least twelve rapes the police knew he was responsible for, but couldn't prove and several others they suspected him of. His target victims were young girls between the ages of fifteen and twenty.

Buffy saw red when she read the file. All she could think of was what if it were Dawn, Willow, or someone else she knew who couldn't fight back. She planned to teach this Tito a lesson, then lock him away forever. Buffy would ensure Vinnie didn't bond him out again.

The motorcycle squealed to a stop in front of a seedy bar named Eddie's. Situated directly across from the High School, it allowed the perv to watch the girls leave and pick his next victim.

Buffy spotted him at the bar, walked over and plopped down on the bar stool next to him. "Can I have a coke?"

Tito sat up, hearing a young female voice next to him. Looking over, he noticed a petite blonde sucking on a straw. She peeked over at him, then glanced down shyly. Tito felt the hunger grow in the pit of his stomach. Here was prime meat and it fell right into his lap.

"What you doing here, little girl?"

"My bike broke," she shrugged, "tried to call home but no one's there."

"Maybe I can take a look at it for you."

"Would you? That would be great. I have to get home before I get I in trouble."

Buffy hopped off her stool. She gave Tito a bright smile, then proceeded to chat on and on about having to hurry home.

Tito tuned out the chatter, thinking about the things he would do the delectable little body. A huge grin crossed his face when he saw that she parked in a dark corner in the back of the club.

"Damn it, Buffy, where are you?" Ranger scanned the streets. He lost her on the way and looked in the lot at Eddie's. He pulled into the parking lot and picked up his phone. "Have you seen her?"

"No luck, Boss."

"I'm at Eddie's. Come here. She's bound to show. We might as well be here when she does."

"We're right behind you."

Ranger turned around to see two black Bronco's pull up. They got out and walked inside. Before they could approach the bartender, an old man stumbled in from the back.

"Think someone's killing someone back there," he slurred, "or a cat, can't tell."

Ranger looked at his men, and they took off running out the back. They hit the exit with their guns drawn. Ranger took the left, with Tank and the others taking the right.

"Took you boys long enough." There was Buffy lounging on her bike, with her feet on the handlebars.

"Some old man said there was trouble back here," Ranger explained.

"Meow," she grinned, then motioned a hand at Tito.

Their eyes followed her hand. Hanging on the back wall from carefully placed throwing stars and one wicked knife between his legs was one Tito Johnston.

"She's crazy. Get me away from her."

THUNK. A silver star landed mere centimeters from his face.

"Uh, Gorgeous, you want to let us take him off your hands?" Ranger took a step closer, trying not to make any sudden moves.

"Not yet. Want you to be witnesses to his confession, before we take him in. Now, Tito talk to the men like a good little weasel," Buffy ordered.

"Don't know what she's talking about. I didn't do anything."

A knife sliced through the air, joining its twin between his legs. This one nicked him, causing him to squeal like a stuck pig.

"Tito, do I need to remind you what I promised to do to you if you don't go to jail?" A sculpted eyebrow rose as her voice dropped to a soft whisper. Another knife appeared; this one was long, wicked, and deadly. The one use for a blade like this was mutilation or death. Its lethal edge gleamed in the dull light.

"You can't let her do that. You heard her threaten me; you are witnesses, all of you." Tito looked at Ranger and the others frantically.

"I didn't hear anything. Did you hear anything, Tank?" Ranger looked at the large bounty hunter.

"Nope, you hear anything, Carlos?"

"Not me, didn't hear a word."

Tito began speaking and wouldn't stop; he confessed to over thirty rapes before he stopped. Buffy picked up her phone. "You get all that Eddie?...That enough without bothering the victims?...Ranger, Tank, and Carlos are witnesses too…If you need a live victim I'll sign out a complaint."

Ranger's entire body stiffened. Tank knew all hell was about to break loose. He just wondered if there was anywhere big enough for him to hide.

Buffy hung up the phone. "You don't have to do anything to him, Ranger. I took care of it."

He stopped one foot in front of Tito, turning back to get a good look at her. The right side of her face was bruised and her lip was bleeding. Ranger stormed over to her and pulled her off the bike. His eyes searched for any other injuries. The only thing he noted was her torn shirt. A low growl escaped his lips. "Damn it, Buffy, you could have been hurt, or worse. He could have…"

Buffy did what she always did, the unexpected. She kissed him, a soft tender kiss. It was over so quickly Ranger wasn't sure it even happened. If his lips didn't tingle, he would think that he imagined it.

"I knew what I was doing, Ranger. I've played bait before. If you only knew. I'm what you could call a pro at it. Believe me I know exactly what could happen."

"You are the most stubborn woman I have ever met." He raked a hand through his hair, messing up the smooth ponytail. He sat her back on the bike.

She gave him a saucy smile. "Makes me interesting, don't ya think?" Buffy turned, winding her body around the motorcycle like a lover. The powerful machine revved to life in the small back ally. "Do you mind taking this trash in for me? Eddie is waiting for him. I'll meet you there."

Tank walked up to Ranger. "I think you met your match this time, boss."

"You might be right, Tank. Ought to be a great ride finding out? You and Carlos take care of Tito, not sure he'd make it to jail if I took him." Ranger walked off.

Tank and Carlos exchanged knowing looks. "Oh yeah, he's got it bad."

~~~~~ NC17

Ranger walked into his apartment. After disabling the security system, he went to the kitchen for some water, then walked into the living room to sit on a large brown leather couch. He wasn't sure when he knew he wasn't alone, but the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Ranger slowly pulled out his gun.

"Who's there?"

"That's not very hospitable." Buffy's soft voice teased his ear. A small pink tongue flicked the lobe, sending shivers down his spine.

Ranger pulled her over the couch onto his lap. Buffy laughed, smiling up at him. "Hi."

"Hi, yourself. What are you doing here? Not that I'm complaining." Ranger enjoyed seeing the twinkle in her eyes.

"That's good. I'd hate to think I broke into the Batcave for nothing."

"Just how did you find my apartment? Better yet, how did you get in?"

Buffy flipped around to straddle his lap. "Pick one."

Ranger's focus went from the conversation to the warm body on his lap. "Huh?"

Buffy put a finger under his chin to bring his face up to meet her eyes. "I'll answered one question - pick one."

"How did you find my apartment?" He wrapped his hands around her slender hips.

She leaned back to look up at him with a smile. "It was easy. A place like this would be the last place anyone would look for you. The only apartment you'd have would be the penthouse, no neighbors, and more security. All I had to do was find your Ci in the garage, and it was a cake walk."

"My car isn't in the garage where you can see it."

"Course not, Silly. Knew you'd use a separate entrance. Once I found that, I found your car. See simple. I don't know why Stephanie said it was so hard tracing you." Buffy shrugged.

Ranger started chuckling and it soon turned into a full belly laugh. "Only you, Gorgeous, only you ." He swept in for a scorching kiss. "It's called bait and switch or hiding in plain sight. Everyone thinks of me as Ranger, here I'm Mr. Martinez, a respectable Cuban businessman."

She titled her head to the side to look at him. Buffy studied him carefully. "I can see you in that role. You would look nice in a tailored suit, silk shirt, and a tie. People have a bad habit of labeling people and only seeing you that way. Take me…"

"Don't mind if I do." Ranger flipped her over, so that she lay beneath his strong body. He started nibbling on her collarbone, making his way towards her chest.

Buffy arched her back, giving him better access. His teeth grazed over her skin until he found a pert breast. Ranger suckled it through the thin shirt she wore. She pulled his hair loose from its ponytail to run her fingers through the thick, dark strands. Buffy closed her eyes, enjoying the sensations of Ranger's mouth and hands. His eyes swept back up to watch the passion start to bloom on her face.

She ripped the black T-shirt off Ranger's back. Her nails lightly scratching the muscles that played under his skin. The small shirt, that barely covered her, disappeared. Ranger sat back on his heals to feast his eyes on the sight of Buffy Summers.

The golden skin was a perfect foil for the rich leather. His brow rose when he noticed that her skin was the same golden color all over. It was a question for another time. His hands swept lightly over a trim, toned stomach to the bounty they sought. Cupping a breast in each hand, Ranger rolled the nipples into pebbled peaks.

"Mmmm," Buffy murmured, "that's nice."

"You like that, Gorgeous?" He scooped her up in his arms.

"What are you doing?"

"Need room to do a proper job." He gave her a mega-watt smile.

Buffy rolled her eyes at him, then returned his smile with one of her own. She leaned over to nip his ear with her teeth. "You are in big trouble, Ricky. Give me too much room to play and all those years of gymnastics seem to take over."

Ranger thought he was hard before, but leave it to Buffy to put an image in his head that proved him wrong. A low moan escaped his lips as he dropped her on a massive bed. It was crafted from black wrought iron and covered with a cream duvet, tasteful but masculine, pure Ranger.

"Nice, Ranger enough, while still being Ricardo," Buffy said, pronouncing his name with the proper Spanish emphasis.

"Glad you approve. Let's see if it will do for a floor mat. It that the proper term?" His dark eyes sparkled with laughter and passion. Few people ever saw this side. Buffy caught glimpses before, and she wanted to see more of the man in front of her, much more.

They slowly stripped the clothes from each others bodies. It was a leisurely process, as if they were old lovers savoring every inch of bared skin. Lying back on the bed, they took turns learning each others bodies. Lightly tracing the peaks and valleys, kissing old scars, uttering soft words, sharing tender kisses and giving caresses freely knowing they would be given back in kind.

Ranger moved between Buffy thighs. He touched her check, then bent down to kiss her tenderly as he slid inside her for the first time. This wasn't what he imagined it would be. He thought it would be a catfight, raging passion, wild positions. Then, she touched him so softly, so tenderly, like he was spun glass and he shattered.

This woman changed every second from wildcat, to woman, to child, that he didn't know which end was up. He found that he liked his organized life being disorganized by this blonde tornado.

Buffy surged up to meet him. Her body felt full and flushed. She admitted to herself that she wanted him, then decided to have him. She just never imaged that it would be like this. When he spoke about the way people thought about him, Buffy knew she was lost. People always saw her one way - blonde and stupid. As they lay on the bed naked and vulnerable to each other, Buffy wanted Ranger to know how she saw him. That's what led to this place right now, to this glorious place.

They moved slowly together, savoring the feelings, they were building towards. All the kisses, the touches, and tastes, all led to this moment, and they wanted it to last. Buffy tilted her hips as he moved within her. Her legs wrapped around Ranger's back. Their breathing grew faster, as did their pace. They knew they wouldn't last much longer but they didn't want to stop, not yet.

"Feels so good," she whispered.

"You're so tight," he groaned.

Their bodies slapped together, sweat trickled down tanned skin intermingling like the joined bodies. The staccato of flesh hitting flesh echoed in the room joined by harsh breathing, and moans as they climbed towards their peak. They stretched out reaching for it, wanting to achieve that moment together.

Two people shattered, screams, moans, gasping for breath, foreheads touching as they float back to Earth. Coal black eyes gazed into hazel, no words pass between them, only tender kisses, as lids flutter close. Their bodies curved into each other naturally forming a unit, a pair, then sleep overtakes them.

Ranger woke to find the bed empty. A note on the pillow told him it wasn't a dream.

Rick,

Thanks for the beautiful night. People should always look beyond the outside,
to see the real person underneath. Your turn to find Catwoman's Lair.

                                                                      Meow,
                                                                      Buffy.