Alex's POV–

My boots crunch off the ground as I pace outside of the bail bonds office. It's been three weeks since I returned home. Three weeks since I've had to slowly reintroduce myself to society. Worse society in the burg.

I started my day off early, going for a morning jog when Steph called and frantically told me to meet her outside the office. I wasn't too far away so I ran the rest of the way, except Stephine isn't out here yet. And it's playing on my anxiety. If she doesn't get out here soon, I'm going in.

Just as I go to walk up the door slings open, revealing a head of brown curls and amused blue eyes. "You look like you want to bite you're nails off." She says.

I roll my eyes. "You can't call me and tell me to come quickly like that, then make me wait a whole ten minutes to walk out."

She looks a little sheepish. "Sorry, I was setting everything up."

That makes me pause and narrow my eyes suspiciously. "...set everything for what up?" I ask, not exactly liking the coy way she said it.

A smile lights up her face. "Well..you know how you were talking about needing a job?"

Oh no, oh no no no no no. A grimace pulls at my lips. I already don't like this. "Yeah…"

"I found you one!" She announces, looking completely delighted in herself.

I stare at her a moment, wondering what in the world she'd managed to get me into this time. I'll have to hear her out or she'll pout about it for weeks…but I swear if she signed me up for a job at the button factory.

"What…is it exactly?" I say, slowly. Not sure I actually want to know.

Her expression falls a little, the sheepishness back. "So you remember Ranger? I introduced you to him last week."

Ah yes Ranger, the tension between those two was ridiculous. I haven't really developed an opinion on him. He seems odd, but Stephine trusts him so he can't be so bad.

"Yes, the batman looking guy."

She chuckles. "Yes…he owns a security company called Rangman, you might have heard of it from Erik."

I frown, no Erik hadn't said anything about a company called Rangeman. I would remember the name if he had. "Haven't heard of it."

"Oh, well he runs it and he employs a lot of ex soldiers…so I was watching TV last night and the thought struck me…you're a newly discharged soldier who needs a job and I felt like security would suit you. So I called him and explained my idea to him and he agreed to do it if me and you stop by so he can interview you real quick." She barely breathes as she rushes to explain everything.

I stare at her, my mouth admitly open once she's done. I don't know whether to throttle her or pat her on the back. Security does sound like something I could fit in to, but what has me dumbstruck is the fact that she called and set up a whole ass meeting before talking to me about it.

"Alex? Are you okay?" She ask's after a few minutes of silence stretched between us.

"I–you–what?" Is all I manage to say.

"Do you want me to call and cancel the meeting?" She asks quietly. Looking down a little sadly, which makes me feel bad. She was just trying to help, which I find enduringly sweet.

"No–its okay. Just took me by surprise." I say quickly, I mean really it could be a good thing. And I do need a job.

She brightens backup, which brings a smile to my face. Steph always manages to make things so much brighter and the best part is she isn't even trying. It just comes naturally to her.

"Really? You mean it? You'll go?!"

Despite myself I chuckle. "Yes I'll go, though I do not see why you're required to go as well." Well actually that one might be obvious, he clearly likes Stephine.

She shrugs, oblivious as always. "He just said to come with you."

"When exactly?"

"Anytime after lunch, he has a meeting all morning."

"That works, I need to jog back to my apartment and shower then do the hair thing before heading there anyways." Not that I care about doing my hair up, but if I don't it'll be frizzy and well second impressions are as important as firsts.

She makes a face. "You jogged here?"

"Yep, I'll call you when I'm on the way to pick you up." I say turning back the way I came, getting ready for the jog back.

"Okay..Oh! Mom wants to know when you're stopping by?" She says.

I pause and sigh. "Is three months an option?"

I can practically hear the eye roll. "No it is not."

"Damn it, tell her I'll try to stop by on wednesday." I leave it at that, taking off down the sidewalk before she can protest. I really don't feel like seeing my mom this week and since it's Thursday I have six days between the time I'll have to.

I jog back to my apartment, thinking about everything. Could this be a good thing for me? Yes. But it could also be very weird, I haven't worked security before outside of ops and those times I was more involved in finding my target then actually keeping an eye on everyone.

Maybe it won't be the best job for me, but it doesn't hurt to give it a try.

A/N: Hey! Thanks to everyone who read to the end! I'm new to Fanfiction so any constructive criticism is welcomed, but please don't be unnecessarily cruel with it. This story will be a Lester and OC pairing with a subplot between Ranger and Steph. HEA for both.