I Leave the Burg

A/N: One Shot prompt is a combination of ideas from Roscommon, emmme3, and shirleygirl. Thanks, ladies!
Begins after Holidays on Ice, Part II (Chapter 53)

Val’s POV

Albert has, apparently, lost his mind.

“You have to get a job, Val. We need more money.”

I’m at the stove, making lunches for the girls to take for their first day of school. Albert is reviewing our finances. This is my childhood all over again and I’m proud we can give my girls this.

“I can’t get a job, Snuggums.” Albert looks up, tense. “Daycare isn’t the right place for Lisa. She needs to be home with me, with her Mommy. The girls need someone to be here for them when they get out of school. And there are so many other things I do during the day. I don’t have time.”

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Chapter 70.3 Armando’s Had ENOUGH!

Armando’s POV—Friday Afternoon

Mariela meets me at the airport and I hug her on sight. My wife. She’s stood by me for years, during the best and the worst. Time for me to begin repaying her devotion with my support, my full support.

“I love you. Thank you for standing with me. Thank you for staying by my side,” I whisper. I watch her eyes water and kiss her gently. “Thank you for my babies, my girls. Thank you for having the patience of a saint. Thank you for being my partner in life.”

Mari smiles, but it’s shaky. I pass her my handkerchief and hold her close.

“I love you, Mando.” She sniffs. “My vows are eternal. I mean them.”

“And I mean mine. ‘For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.’ I haven’t done that for you, as I should, and that ends. You have my vow, Mariela. You and the girls will come first.”

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Chapter 23: Temper Tantrums–Deleted Scene

If you were looking for this scene at noon and it didn’t show, I apologize. I scheduled it. No idea where the hiccup is.

Some of my best deleted scenes involve Ram! This would have been at the very end of the chapter.

My disgust with hunting aside, Ram and I stayed in the gun range to perfect my skills. I could tell Ram was having problems with my proficiency.
“Steph?”
“Yeah?”
“Why do you hate guns?”
How do you tell someone who loves guns that you hate guns because they mean death, destruction and violence? I really don’t have a way to answer this for Ram and I suppose my non-answer meant something to him.
“I’m wondering because for someone who hates guns, you’re a natural with one.”
I didn’t want to hear that.

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Chapter 70: The Crown has Passed!

Ram’s POV—Monday Morning

I hit the floor at 0700. Junior is grinning. Does this man ever go home?

“Check your email?”

“Nah. Why?”

Junior is choking back laughs. “I want a Candy look-a-like. Make that happen.”

I lift an eyebrow but head to my office. Ten minutes later, I’m grinning.

FROM THE DESK OF THE CO OF RANGEMAN LLC.

RE: The Crown has PASSED!

It is my great pleasure and delight to announce that the Trenton Branch of RangeMan, LLC has taken the number one position as ‘Most Profitable Branch’ in the company. Please extend your congratulations to Hal Linden and his men for their work over the past five months. Congratulations, Trenton!

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Chapter 69.7: Girls Night Out, Part II

A/N: Although I am occasionally kinda smart, I do miss the simple things (cringe). I keep forgetting you guys don’t have my timeline. So I’m putting a sanitized version out there (can’t give away secrets!) so you understand what’s happening when. Check my profile for the link.

Steph’s POV—Saturday Night

Honestly, I was more interested in getting some sleep this weekend, but ML and Connie insisted.

“You’ve been at the beach, surrounded by handsome, buff RangeMen for six weeks! Time for girl time!”

I still had no interest in going until Lula calls. “Steph! You coming out with us tonight?”

I yawn. “I was thinking of calling it a night.”

“Damn. I was looking forward to showing you the ring.”

I perk up. “Well, maybe a few minutes. What’s the plan?”

“So far, dinner at that fancy ass place Tank took us to. We have big things to celebrate.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. I’m getting married, you’re blowing RangeMan up, Connie had a date—”

“Really?”

“A doctor, girl! She’s excited.”

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Chapter 69.5: This Shit is Real

Manny’s POV—Baltimore, MD, Thursday

Today’s fishing session is probably my most dangerous. Juana Baez is an ex-girlfriend of mine, the only time I ever mixed the job with my personal life. She works in Major Crimes. I saved her life, twice, and it wasn’t a bad breakup, so she was happy to hear from me.

Every time I see her again, I wonder why we broke up. Juana is 34, my age, with long brown hair and brown eyes. Coke bottle shape that looks good in everything she wears. Everything about her turns me on. We loved each other, had fun, shared the same interests, and our families got along. We were the perfect couple. Oh. Right. That was the problem. Juana wants someone who adores her, worships her, and lives only to cater to her every whim. I want a woman a little more independent. My salary (at the time) did not support Juana’s preferred lifestyle. When I moved to Jersey, that was the end. Trenton was not the place she wanted to be. Oh well. It was wonderful while it lasted.

“Manny!” We’re at a sidewalk café in a safer area of town. The Wire was not a storybook fantasy. We hug and I motion for her to sit.

“How’s it going, Juana?”

She sighs. “I hate the Bureau. Simple shit takes a fucking miracle now. We’re so concerned with terrorism that unless your warrant application has some sort of terrorism angle, good luck getting it approved in the next six weeks.”

“Shit,” I mutter. My instincts are ringing. Something’s off. I cough twice, pound my chest and motion for her to take a menu.

“Otherwise? Eh,” she says.

Ranger is about three tables over, in disguise (excellent disguise) and listening. I see him point a bug detector at her and widen his eyes. She’s bugged. Great. We’re both bugged.

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Chapter 69: Mercy Granted

Danny’s POV—Thursday Morning

We gather outside after breakfast. It’s a repeat of Saturday.

Javier blows out a breath. “Straw poll. In favor of keeping him?” Not a single hand. We look toward Hal. He has his eyes closed and appears to be in prayer. Finally, he lifts his head and looks at each of us. He shakes his head. No. Done deal. Mark failed.

Mark steps outside and nods at us before heading off to the beach. We watch him silently. Moments later, Stephanie walks out and takes the head seat.

“Have you guys made a decision?” Hal nods but Steph raises a hand to stop him. “Before you tell me, I need to tell you two things. One, Mark submitted a resignation letter yesterday and I’ve accepted it.”

We all sit back, stunned. Steph allows us some time to consider that before speaking.

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I Don’t Fight for Me

A/N: Assume all conversations among the LC are in Spanish

“It gives me strength to have somebody to fight for;
I can never fight for myself, but, for others, I can kill.”

Trenton, 4 years ago

I’m outside of the restaurant watching him. I’ve been waiting on his arrival for an hour and I’m still uncertain. I’m thinking of trusting my life to this man and I cannot read him. This is a first. I look east. I spotted the first lookout 30 minutes ago. There’s no reason for a well-dressed black man to be in this area, so he’s deliberate. 15 minutes later I spotted a Hispanic, but I know him.

Lester Santos. I recognize him from childhood. He went inside and spoke to the man but left again. He’s sitting in the car.

I haven’t spotted the black man I’m told is his partner, and I’m not moving until I do. I like to know where possible enemies are before I move. It keeps me alive. He should be easy to spot. He’s supposed to be huge.

I check my watch. I’m now five minutes late and I’m told he never waits. I must be interesting. He’s waiting.

“He’s getting pissed about waiting.”

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Chapter 68.5: Calls to NYC

Mack’s POV—Wednesday night

My phone always seems to ring during dinner. Homie can never eat in peace.

“Yo.”

“Yo, Mack?”

“Sup.” Who the fuck is this?

“Hi, this is Stephanie Plum.”

Yo . . . the Boss Lady. I set the wing down and wipe my fingers. This is gonna be major. She need me to come shank that asshole Mark? I can ride in minutes.

“Yo, Boss Lady, good to hear from you. Please tell me Javi managed to convince you to come back and visit us.”

Laughter. I like the CO. She major, she’s real, and she’s pretty fucking hot. Ain’t a lotta women like her. Makes me respect Ranger even more. The man is a fucking genius.

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Chapter 68: Relief at Last

Steph’s POV—Tuesday Morning

The difficult discussions are finished. Now for the fun ones. Danny and I decide to hold his discussion outside on the porch.

“Trying to avoid the bugs?” I tease.

Danny laughs. “Nah. Unnecessary now. Hal called the office and reinstated the audio and video monitoring.”

I shake my head. “Why am I not surprised? Ok, Danny, hit me. What do you need?”

“A way to convince the CO to stop poaching my men!” We laugh and I write that down and underline it, which makes Danny grin. “No, seriously, we’re d oing great in Atlanta. My concerns all centered on Charlotte, but since you intend to move Armando there for six weeks, I can discuss those concerns with him. Make sure he’s fully aware of what needs to happen at that location.”

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