All of the standard disclaimers. The characters don't belong to me. I get paid in reviews not in money. Thanks to Jenn for editing and making sure I make sense.
*************NOTHING WORTH HAVING IS EASY*********************

Chapter 1-

The beeping sound was my first clue and the smell of antiseptic made me positive I was in the hospital. My whole body felt stiff and sore My head was throbbing. I had a pounding headache. I searched my mind to remember what happened that made me wind up here. I had nothing. But something had to happen to put me in the hospital. I wasn't sure what injuries I may have, but the worst of my pain was absolutely the throbbing going on in my head.

Wait. My name. What the hell was my name? Okay, let's look at the facts. I am in a hospital. I have a killer headache. I don't know who I am or how the hell I got here. This makes no sense. Did I hit my head on something? Was this a dream? Then I realized someone was holding my hand. The hand was warm and comforting. I waited and then I heard a voice.

"Cupcake open your eyes." the deep voice begged.

Cupcake? Who the hell is Cupcake? Me? That's ridiculous. I am obviously a grown woman. Who would call me Cupcake? I didn't attempt to open my eyes. I wasn't ready to speak with this man who would name me after food. Food. Donuts. Cake. Pudding. Yes, I needed food. I was hungry but not so hungry I wanted to open my eyes for the Cupcake guy. Unless he had donuts. Donuts might make me open my eyes.

"I'll be back." The deep voice said.

He released my hand and I heard him move away from the bed. I waited and listened for him to leave the room. Once he was gone I opened my eyes. The bright light forced me to quickly close them. I took my time blinking slowly until I could bear the bright light in the room. Once my eyes had adjusted, I glanced around. The room was painted a light yellow. There was a window to my right. I sat up a little to look outside. My head was quivering in pain. I brought my fingers to my temples and rubbed circles to try to get some relief.

Palm trees. Hmm. So, I am some place tropical. Some place hot. Some place with a beach. That made me smile. The beach? I liked the idea of sitting on the beach. I lifted my right hand and inspected the needle in the top of it that attached me to the IV beside my bed. My hand was sore. The fluid was clear. I lifted my left hand. An engagement ring and wedding band. Married? Where's my husband?

I cringed. Was I married to Cupcake man? I prayed I wasn't. I didn't want to be married to someone who would call me Cupcake. What if he had other terms of endearment? Cuddle umpkins? Sweetie pie? Snuggle muffin? Smoochy kins? Snoogy Woogy? I felt nauseous just thinking about it. I would rather be called by my name. If only I knew what it was. I heard someone at the door and quickly closed my eyes and laid back onto the pillow. The cuff squeezed on my arm. Someone was taking my blood pressure. I decided to open my eyes and saw a man smiling at me.

"Welcome back." He was smiling as if he had won the lottery.

He had crinkles at the corners of his eyes. His smile was infectious and I couldn't help but smile back at him. I studied his face. He looked kind. He was older but not elderly. He was short with blonde hair and brown eyes. I deduced that he was a nurse or a doctor because he was wearing scrubs.

"Where am I?" I asked.

"The Queens Medical Center." He continued smiling brightly.

"Where is that?" I asked.

"Honolulu Hawaii." He studied my face.

"Hmm" I still didn't understand.

"Do you know why you are here?" he asked more serious now.

"No" I answered.

"Do you know your name?" he asked.

I thought for a second and bit my lower lip and shook my head no.

"I'm Daniel. I am your nurse here. You were brought in last night with a head injury." He explained.

"I don't remember." I admitted.

"This is common with a head injury. Let me get the doctor to speak with you." Daniel squeezed my hand.

"Head injury." I mumbled.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I laid there trying to think. I wanted to figure this out. I needed to know what the heck was going on and how I got here. Most of all I needed to know who I was. I felt a tingle on the back of my neck and my eyes shot open. A gorgeous man stood in the doorway. He was dressed all in black and his shirt looked like it was painted on him. I scanned his muscular body before focusing on his face. He was tan, I guess I would describe his skin color as mocha latte. Mmmm coffee that would be good right now.

I needed to focus. Okay, Hawaii but I don't know who the hell I am. Was this home? That didn't feel right. I knew this wasn't home. Vacation? Who is this man with brown nearly black hair and piercing brown eyes? Eyes that right now seemed both sad and thoughtful. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly in what I guessed was almost a smile.

"Babe"

He crossed the room and took my hand in his. He pulled my hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on it. The kiss was light and tender. Both his touch and his light kiss had a strange calming effect on me. He sat down in the chair beside me and moved it closer to my bedside. Babe sounded a lot better than Cupcake, but I still didn't know my name. Before I could question him, the doctor came into the room.

"Hello Mrs. Manoso. I am Doctor McDonald. Do you remember why you are here?" he asked.

"No" I whispered. "I'm afraid I don't remember much of anything."

"You were in a car accident." The man holding my hand told me.

"Was anyone else hurt?" I asked.

The man holding my hand gave out a slight chuckle and I glanced up at him. When our eyes met he pulled my hand to his lips and placed another gentle kiss on the back of my hand, lingering a bit longer than the first time. This time it gave me chills throughout my body in a really good way.

"Always worried about others." He shook his head.

"No one else was hurt." The doctor confirmed.

"So how?" I asked.

"You went off the side of the road. The car rolled over." Dr. McDonald clarified.

I looked at the man holding my hand. "How?"

"The police are investigating. That's why I wasn't with you when you woke up. I was answering questions." He explained.

"Why can't I remember?" I asked.

"It's very common with head injuries. You're a very lucky woman." He enlightened me.

"Lucky? I don't feel very lucky right now." I nearly rolled my eyes.

"You survived Stephanie." The doctor smiled.

The man beside me squeezed my hand. So now I knew. My name was Stephanie Manoso. Stephanie? That felt right.

"You only have minimal cuts from glass. You have some bruising and soreness that you will definitely feel in the next twenty-four hours. We will give you some pain medication when that happens." Dr. McDonald began to explain.

"Are you in pain now?" my hand holder asked.

"I have a headache." I admitted.

"That's understandable." The doctor nodded.

"What can we do for her?" asked the man at my side.

"We're doing everything we can." the doctor assured him.

"I don't want to be here." I interrupted.

"You have a severe concussion. There was some slight brain swelling. That is why you have a headache. We have been using IV fluids to keep your blood pressure from dropping to make sure the brain is receiving enough blood. We also gave you some medication to slow your body's response to the swelling. We will do a CAT Scan and MRI late this afternoon to see if the swelling is reduced." The doctor explained.

"And if it's not?" I asked.

"We will explore other routes." He sighed.

"Other routes?' I asked

"Such as?" the man beside me asked.

"Oxygen therapy, Surgery, Hypothermia, Ventriculostomy." He offered.

"These are all more extreme treatments?" My hand holder asked.

The doctor nodded. "Yes, but let's not cross that bridge until we come to it Mr. Manoso."

Mr. Manoso? The doctor had called me Mrs. Manoso when he came in. Does that mean this gorgeous man is my husband? No way! He must be my brother. I glanced down at my own pale skin. An adopted brother? Maybe I am the one who was adopted. Parents. Where are my parents?

"A swollen brain obviously doesn't make me smart. When will I get my memory back? Can't remember anything before waking up here and I need to know who I am." I told the doctor.

"Your name is Stephanie Manoso." the doctor informed me.

"I figured that out, but that doesn't tell me who I am. I don't know why I am here. I don't know who my family is." I whined.

"Don't allow yourself to get frustrated. This is very normal. With some patients it resolves itself in seven days." Dr. McDonald smiled.

"Some?" my hand holder asked

"And others?" I pushed.

"Depending on how long the brain is swollen and the trauma it could last for months." He admitted.

"Months?" My eyes grew wide.

"Relax Babe" the man beside me spoke.

"Your husband is right. You need to relax and let the medication do its job. We will have more answers later today after the tests." The doctor smiled.

"Okay." I whispered.

Husband? How did I get such a sexy husband? Did he know about the Cupcake man? The Cupcake man sounded like he knew me. He sounded pained. Oh my God! Is he my lover? Am I a cheater? How could I cheat on this sexy man? His other hand grabbed mine and he began to stroke my hand in his. It was comforting and loving. It made me feel warm. It was as if he sensed that I was getting upset and felt the urge to comfort me. He seemed to have the ability to know just what I needed.

"If you have any other questions you can ask Daniel or anyone else on the nursing staff. I will check in on you after I have read the results of your tests." Dr. McDonald gave me a smile.

"Thank you." My 'husband' told him.

The doctor left the room and Daniel smiled at me.

"Just let me know if you need anything. There is a pitcher of water beside your bed. Are you hungry?" The nurse asked.

Just then my stomach growled and my husband chuckled.

"Yes" I admitted.

"I will bring you some soup or jello in a little while." Daniel told me before he left the room.

After Daniel left, the room was silent. I wasn't sure what to say to this stranger holding my hand. He moved his other hand to stroke the top of mine again. I looked over at him and saw his blank face. There was no emotion or expression. My head and neck were aching and my body was stiff and sore. I was trying to concentrate but the pain was getting to me.

"So…" I wasn't sure what to say.

"I need to explain some things to you Babe." He began.

"Okay, but I have a headache." I warned.

"Let me see if I can get you something." He offered.

I squeezed his hand. "Don't leave."

"Babe?" he questioned.

"I don't want to be alone. I can't explain it and I don't really even know who you are. I just don't…" I lost my words. "I need you."

"I won't go." He assured me.

I knew I had tears swelling in my eyes. I felt my cheeks grow red. I hated to admit it, but I needed him. He gave me the comfort I so desperately needed now. I was afraid that my memories would never return He pressed the call button and asked Daniel for something for my pain. I also explained to Daniel that I was feeling nauseous now. He was back quickly with pain pills and some anti-nausea medication. I closed my eyes and settled back against the pillow.

"Cupcake?" I heard the voice and opened my eyes.

"Is that me?" I asked him.

"Of course it's you." He smiled and winked.

"Hello." I said tentatively.

"Thank God" he was quickly at my side.

The man was tall and good looking. He had brown hair and brown eyes. His skin was lighter than my husbands but more tan than mine. He quickly crossed the room and kissed my cheek. I reflexively moved away from his touch. I moved closer to my husband. the other man pulled back and squinted his eyes to look at me.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked me.

"Uhm. Who are you?" I asked him.

"I'm your boyfriend, well actually your fiance." He pulled back further and placed his hands on his hips.

"But…" I looked at my husband confused.

When I looked back to the Cupcake man I noticed he looked very angry. His eyes shot to my husband. He looked like he wanted to punch him in the face.

"She has amnesia." My husband explained.

Cupcake guy laughed and then regained his angry expression.

"So, you told her that you were her husband?" he glared.

"No. I was about to explain to her why she was here." My husband said.

"Allow me." Cupcake guy smirked.

He stayed on his feet but dropped his hands to his sides.

"I am Detective Joe Morelli. I have known you your whole life. I am your boyfriend and we are engaged to be engaged.. This man here, Ranger is a dangerous thug." He began "You came to Hawaii for a vacation and saw a skip. You are a bounty hunter by the way. At least that's what you think. You are a terrible bounty hunter. You bumble around like an idiot until pure luck helps you capture whoever you are after."

"What's a skip?" I asked.

I tried to ignore the idiot comment, but I wouldn't forget it. I didn't want to get upset and risk the pain it would cause if I intensified my headache.

"Someone who skips out on going to their court date. You try to catch them and you earn a percentage of the bond. You live hand to mouth. You're always broke because your job sucks." Cupcake man explained.

"It sounds very interesting to me." I shrugged

"It's dangerous. It's especially dangerous when you're with Rangeman." Cupcake mam said

"Who's Rangeman? What's Rangeman?" I was more curious.

"My security company. We also try to handle the most dangerous skips." My 'husband said

"I'm with it? How?" I asked

"Sometimes you work for me. You do research. You are amazing when it comes to finding things that others over look." Manoso answered

"He's still a dangerous thug. He operates outside of the law." Morelli spat

"I'm married to a dangerous thug?" I asked.

"No. Damn it. You are not really married to him. You called him to come help you on a case and you needed to pretend to be married for your case. So you could go after your skip." Cupcake guy rolled his eyes.

"If you're my boyfriend or fiance or whatever why didn't I call you?" I asked him.

"We were in an off period. I was busy with work." He shook his head.

"What's an off period?' I asked him.

"It's what we do. I'm Italian and I have a temper. You're half Italian and half Hungarian and you are stubborn. So sometimes we break up, but we always get back together." He moved his hands back to his hips.

"So, I didn't call you because you were busy and we weren't together? We were broken up?" I asked him.

"Don't be difficult. I have a very hard job. I am great at my job. I am a cop. My work is important." Again, he rolled his eyes.

"So I'm not married?" I asked

"No. He is not your husband. He is nothing to you. Just a guy who helps you out sometimes." Morelli explained

I turned to my 'husband' and pulled my hand away. I could see the slight wince on his face. I was sure I winced too at the loss of contact.

"Are you a dangerous thug? You made time for me?"I asked him.

He nodded "I am a bounty hunter and I own a security firm. I'm not a thug. I always make time for you."

"You don't seem like you are dangerous. At least not a danger to me." I noticed.

"Do not underestimate him. He has been trying to weasel his way into your bed since he met you." Cupcake guy explained.

"I invited him to be my husband?" I turned back to Cupcake guy.

"No. You called for his help. He always bails you out. That's his thing. I am sure it was his idea." He gritted his teeth. "He wants to make you feel like you owe him."

"Do I owe him?" I asked.

"NO! You're my girlfriend. Almost fiancée!" Cupcake man's voice got louder.

"But not right now?" I asked.

"Always. Just I was busy." He looked down at his feet.

"So, why are you here?" I asked him.

"I came to surprise you. I got two days off so I figured I would come and spend time with my fiancee." He explained.

"But we're off?" I was confused.

"Damn it Cupcake. We are nearly engaged. I don't know what went on here before I came. I am sure he took advantage of you. You are mine. You would never choose to be with him." The Cupcake guy was getting frustrated.

"Are these your rings?" I asked the man as I held up my left hand.

He glared at me. "No. They are fake rings from a fake marriage. Actually you should probably take them off now."

"I gave you the rings and I can assure you they are very real. They belong to you." My 'husband' spoke softly.

"They are beautiful." I told him.

I studied the rings on my finger. The engagement ring had a big diamond in the center and there were two smaller sapphires on each side of the diamond. The Wedding ring had a thin line of diamonds all the way around it. Both rings were platinum. I looked up at my husband or maybe husband. I was so confused.

"They're real?" I questioned.

"Babe, I would never put fake rings on your finger." he confided.

"We are engaged." Cupcake man announced.

"Engaged to you but I married him?" I asked as I turned back to the Cupcake guy.

"YOU ARE NOT MARRIED TO HIM!" Cupcake man shouted.

My 'husband' jumped to his feet. He moved in between me and the angry man. His jaw was clenched tightly. He was definitely angry too. I hope he wasn't angry with me. He looked like he could be scary but for some reason I wasn't afraid of him.

"You need to calm down Morelli. This isn't helping. She doesn't remember any of this." My 'husband' told him.

"Screw you Manoso. It's easy for you to ask me to be calm. Of course, you're calm. Everyone here thinks you are her husband." Cupcake man or Morelli I guess, growled.

"She doesn't need this right now." My husband told him.

"Don't tell me what my girlfriend needs." Morelli gritted his teeth.

"I got demoted?" I asked.

Both men snapped their heads my way. Morelli rolled his eyes and glared at me. I turned to Manoso and noticed a slight lift at the corners of his mouth. I closed my eyes and laid back. I felt chilly so I pulled the sheet that covered me up to my chin. Manoso moved to the end of the bed and pulled the blanket up for me.

"Cold?" Morelli asked.

"Yeah" I whispered.

"I could climb in there and heat you up." He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

"Umm…this thing here…" I moved my hand to gesture to all three of us. " isn't going to work."

"What? There is no thing here." Morelli asked.

"I just..." I didn't know what to say.

"How's my blue-eyed girl?" Daniel came into the room with a tray covered in food.

"I need help." I told him.

"How can I help you?" he asked me with a concerned look in his eyes as he set the tray down.

"I need to get out of here." I told the nurse.

"We'd like to keep you a bit longer, You have some tests to do after lunch. Do you have somewhere you need to be?" he leaned down and patted my shoulder.

"I have no idea but I just feel like I shouldn't be here. I hate the smell, the noise, and people poking and prodding." I explained.

"Babe, you hate hospitals. Always have." Manoso chuckled.

"Can you both leave?" I asked the men.

"That's a good idea. Give her some quiet for a while." Daniel backed me up.

"Here's your cell." Manoso said.

He placed a phone on the table beside my bed.

"Thank you." I told him.

"Cupcake…" Morelli began.

"You can both come back later." I assured him.

"I just don't…" Morelli started again.

"Come on guys. Let's give our girl some peace and quiet." Daniel stepped away from the bed.

"Call if you need me. I'll be nearby." Manoso told me.

"Me too." Morelli added.

"She should be done with her tests by three o'clock." Daniel told them.

"I'll be here." Morelli nodded.

"Babe" was all my 'husband' said before he left.