142I need to talk to you. Six of the most terrifying words in the English language when strung together in a sentence. Ricardo Carlos Manoso could only think of one thing Stephanie Plum could want to talk about to him and he really wasn't ready for that conversation. Maybe in a couple years, someday, NOT today.
His palms were clammy and cold just thinking about that conversation. He loved his Babe, and had been in love with her for years, but he didn't think he could provide her with the lifestyle that she needed. He had long decided to be the spectator in her life, intervening when necessary at his own discretion. Though lately she was needing him less often, and that made him feel something he couldn't name. She had started a PI business and was thriving at it with her excellent 'spidey senses', her variety of contacts and her easy face and trustworthy personality. People liked talking to her and she was finally using that skill to her advantage.
They met for lunch weekly, but it had a level of professionalism to it as she handled the high profile Rangeman cases. It seemed that they were somehow drifting apart. Ranger didn't know how to save their friendship but still keep that necessary distance from her. It was getting difficult to think of reasons why he should stay away from her.
He picked away at his pasta salad as he tried to figure out a way to get out of this talk unscathed. Avoiding her was… well it's unavoidable.
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Stephanie Plum walked into the Rangeman building wearing a plum dress that was flirty, conservative and did things for her figure. She knew exactly what she was walking into. She needed to be very careful with how she behaved or everything would fall apart.
With confidence and grace she didn't know she had, she walked into the elevator after a finger wave at the cameras. She didn't even have to bother pressing the button as the elevator lurched up to seven. Lester was probably manning the control room.
Ranger was waiting for her as she stepped off the elevator. He pulled her in for a brief hug, but seemed to be holding on to her. Having known the man for a few years now, she knew that he was anxious despite his relaxed demeanour. He led her into the apartment with a hand at her back. There was a beautiful chocolate cake waiting there with a bottle of wine and two glasses.
Anxious to get through this as quickly as possible, Ranger pushed a piece of chocolate cake at her and started talking as soon as she had a mouthful of cake.
"Look Babe, before anything goes any further, I'd like to say that my stance on relationships hasn't changed." A part of him hoped that she would challenge his stance, get rid of all his objections and force him into changing his attitude on relationships. He pushed that thought to the back of his mind as something to be analysed at a later date, with some strong alcohol.
She smiled as she swallowed her cake. Ranger at this point was a little bit confused, shouldn't she be heartbroken? Crying?
"Oh Ranger! Is that what you thought this was about? Well, I'm glad you haven't suddenly changed your mind" she laughed.
Okay, so she's glad now? She's glad I haven't changed my mind? Shouldn't she be trying to change my mind? Is this some of that reverse psychology bullshit? Is she trying to make me change my mind by not trying to make me change my mind?
"Okay. So what is this about? Do you have a stalker? Are you sick?" He was just snowballing at this point. She didn't look sick, and since she wasn't a part of takedowns or doing bounty hunting anymore, her chances of attracting a stalker had been drastically reduced.
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"Actually, I need a favour. I don't want Rangeman involved, I want you to look this over personally." She stopped for a breath. The intensity with which Ranger was staring at her made her a little bit nervous about his reaction.
"I have been on a two dates with a man named Dr. Matthew Ward. I really like him, but considering my history with men I wanted you to run search on him to make sure there aren't any major character flaws. I would like to have an all clear before I get invested in this relationship."
Ranger was stunned. Where was the reckless woman he'd met three years ago? The one who never worried about her own safety. She was taking all the right precautions, she was growing up and with this man in her life (assuming he couldn't find a fatal flaw with him) she'd need him even less. What would he do then? He tried to push the thought away but it was pesky and wouldn't budge. Here she was supposed to be convincing him to change his stance on relationships, but instead he'd been effectively friend-zoned. He'd never been friend-zoned before so he wasn't familiar with the territory, but he really didn't like it there.
"I am glad you are taking you safety seriously. I will look into him. Though I have to ask, why aren't you looking into him yourself?"
"Thank you Ranger! I'm not looking into him myself because I have a good feeling about him and I'm hoping he'll pass muster… I don't want to encroach his privacy. I want this relationship to progress naturally without either of us having the high ground. You are my best friend and I don't want anyone else digging into my business."
He'd dig alright. There must be something the bastard has done. He can't potentially be perfect, no one is.
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A/N: I'll have this story finished in the next couple of weeks. What do you think of Ranger's reaction? Also, how hot do you want Dr. Matthew Ward to be?