Just the Way…

AN: My first attempt. Be gentle yet honest. I own nothing, just having some fun with Steph, Ranger and the Merry Men. Morelli may get a cameo, but he's definitely not the leading man.

As Stephanie walked across the garage at Rangeman, she looked at the black coat in her hand. She ran her fingers over the Rangeman logo embroidered on it. It was a really nice coat, warm, too. She reached the elevator and pressed the button. While waiting, she looked down at her foot and noticed some dry leaves stuck to her boot.

"Wouldn't want to track anything inside," she muttered.

She shuffled her foot and bent to grab the leaves. She wondered if the building repelled dirt as well as its owner. She was still crouched down when the doors opened. Seeing a pair of boots, her Burg manners told her to step aside to allow people to get off the car first. As she stood up, a tingle shot up her spine.

"Babe."

"Good morning, Ranger, welcome back!"

She smiled brightly at him while giving him a quick scan from head to toe. Black cargos, black painted on long-sleeved shirt, and a relaxed yet arrogant confidence was his attire today. He crossed his arms and leaned against the back wall of the elevator, lips showing the slight curve of an almost smile. His hair was short, just touching the back of his neck, but overall his appearance seemed unchanged. Must have been a successful mission she thought, although she had no real clue where he'd taken off to a few weeks ago. But she was glad to see he'd returned safe and unharmed. Ok, she was more than just glad, but she restrained herself from jumping up and hugging him.

"Babe?"

"Aren't you getting off?"

A flash of a wolf grin appeared. "Not yet."

She glanced down at the leaf in her hand. A faint blush darkened her cheeks and the leaf fell from her nerveless fingers as she took a step toward the elevator. Ranger reached out and grabbed her wrist, tugging her inside and then letting her go as he waved his key fob to close the doors.

"I just got back late last night. Was about to check in with Tank when the control room called." He paused and although his face was blank, Stephanie thought his eyes were betraying some amusement.

Was he referring to Screamers? Everything worked out fine. No Merry Men or Rangeman vehicles were harmed during the distraction, only her pride came out slightly wounded. That and her latest Macy's purchase.

"Last night, it was—"

"They just called ten minutes ago, Babe."

His expression was now all business. "Seems a Rangeman employee has arrived on the premises at 8:18 am. Nearly two hours before her scheduled shift begins. Since this behavior is highly unusual for said employee, they alerted me to the arrival of a possible doppelganger, who may be attempting a security breach."

Ranger humor. Must have been a really successful mission, maybe even a vacation. If Steph actually believed he took vacations. The elevator hadn't moved yet. She glanced at the security camera and took a step closer.

"Ten minutes ago? For such a potentially volatile situation, your reactionary time seems…sluggish." He quirked an eyebrow, a trait she often found sexy….and infuriating. "And I'll have you know, I was just at the station dropping off a skip. Since it's too early for Connie to be in, I thought I'd get some searches done before lunch. Now, is this lethargy of yours catching? Because the elevator seems to be—"

Ranger backed her up against the wall and captured her mouth. The kiss was hot, hard and….over? Guess he was showing some restraint too. She was still against the wall and could now feel the elevator ascending. He was back on his side, arms crossed, displaying a smug smile.

"Had to make sure you weren't a hostile, Babe."

"How, by rendering me speechless?" As she leaned down to scoop up the coat, that had fallen to the floor when Ranger kissed her, the elevator opened up to the 5th floor.

Ranger strolled out of the elevator.

He headed towards his office and without a backwards glance replied, "Taste test."

TBC