Thank you for the continued support on this story. I've had this chapter in the works for about two weeks now. Hope you like it.

This is mostly in Ranger's POV to deal with the aftermath of Stephanie stepping in to help Terry. (I've seen Terri and Terry, so to keep the consistency I'll stay with Terry).

Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE. Mistakes are mine.

"Oh, shit." Babe's eyes were wide as realization set in. Although she didn't feel the pain initially, as the adrenaline rush ends she's definitely going to feel it.

I instructed her to turn around. She did as I requested and knelt on the couch with arms resting against the backrest so her back could be towards me for better access. The roomy T-shirt obstructed my view, so I had her bunch it up to her waist. Her jeans were soaked with dark red, starting at her right asscheek and traveling down her leg.

Expertly, I undid the button on her jeans so I could take a closer look at the gunshot wound. Carefully, I peeled the ruined denim to reveal the lacy thong I watched her shimmy up her long, smooth legs mere hours ago. My breath caught in my throat at the scene before me. The last time we were in a similar set up, I had one hand at the small of her back while the other held her in place as I pumped furiously into her waiting heat. The sound of water lapping nearby had been drowned by the sounds of our passion. My body did an internal shudder at the memory of the snug feeling, her scent, her moans...

The heat of Terry's glare reminded me of the lack of privacy. I had to focus. Before Babe, being focused and devoid of any emotion for a job was an easy feat. Now, not so much. For the second time, and in this office no less, I lost notion of my surroundings. It cannot keep happening. I will make sure of that, because she depends on me.

I grabbed the last gauze pads from the kit and superficially wiped the wounded area. For a brief moment I saw the entrance wound, but couldn't find an exit before blood pooled and oozed out.

"I don't see an exit wound." I announced, working on being as detached as I sounded.

"I have a bullet in my ass?!" I could tell Babe was on the verge of a meltdown.

"Usually this is non life-threatening." I said in hopes of avoiding an anxiety attack.

"Usually?!"

"Looks like you're a bleeder." Terry ever so helpfully pipped in.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" Babe glared at the other woman over her shoulder, looking quite deadly with that fierce icy blue glare.

"We need to move." I had to make a choice. On the one hand, Rangeman is fully equipped to handle this kind of emergency. On the other hand, I don't feel comfortable leaving Terry alone to wander the streets in this deadly night nor do I want her inside of Rangeman.

Babe seemed to read my mind, her eyes softening when they shifted to meet mine. "My apartment is a short drive from here. On the plus side, it's not across the street from the Burg like the Bonds office is."

I could kiss this genius woman. I have kissed her and I want to kiss her, but sadly I can't at the moment. I have to be her professional Rangeman security detail. Kissing your assignment isn't very professional.

"Sounds good to me." Terry chipped in that technically the night was not over and the peaceful accord was still in effect.

"Of course." If she didn't need our help, I'm certain no peace would be guaranteed.

I messaged Bobby, Rangeman's Medic, to meet us at Babe's apartment. I gave him the address, our ETA, and my preliminary assessment of the damage. His response was instant.

Gently, I used a Princess Carry to transport Babe out to the SUV. Once again, Terry's glare said she was suspicious of us.

S&R

The drive to Babe's apartment was uneventful.

"No, not the jizzed bed." Babe's protest was loud and clear, so I deposited her on the long couch in her living room. With my help, she turned to lie on her stomach.

Terry took the recliner chair, possibly to scope out the unfamiliar territory.

Bobby and Lester arrived within seconds of us. Bobby, being the experienced medic, took charge. He had his medical kit with him at the ready even before he finished assessing the situation. This man has treated soldiers out on an active combat zone and most have lived to tell the tale. Babe is in good hands.

Lester brought up the rear, portable digital X-ray machine in tow, and ready to assist.

Bobby methodically prepared a syringe before turning to Miss Trenton Mob.

"Her first." Terry nodded Babe's way to redirect Bobby's attention.

"Hi, Stephanie. I'm Bobby and this is Lester. I'm going to take a look, okay?" Bobby's friendly approach was enough to get Babe to relax.

"Oh god." She let out a strangled sob and muttered something inaudible when Bobby used scissors to get her out of her jeans.

Once her bottom half was exposed, Bobby peeled the gauze to take a better look at the wound. "Stephanie, are you allergic to any medications?" She shook her head in the negative. "Is there any chance you are pregnant?"

At his question, blue eyes flicked over to meet mine briefly. We've had a lot of sex, true, but we took the necessary precautions. "No."

"I'm going to give you something for pain, okay?" Babe nodded in agreement. Bobby gave her a shot before stepping away. Once the medication kicks in he'll extract the bullet.

Lester took Bobby's place in order to digitally x-ray the affected area. Under different circumstances I'd be wary of allowing Lester to be in such close proximity with Babe's lacy thong-encased ass.

By the time Bobby studied the x-ray and had a plan of attack, Babe was out cold. No major nerves or bones were affected. Babe will have some minor scarring, which all in all is a pretty sweet deal.

The extraction and suturing was uneventful due to Babe being completely still. It really was for the best for her to be unconscious for this. She's very sensitive about her ass and would have squired the whole time had she been awake. Trust me, I know.

Bobby left Lester to do the dressing on Babe so he could move over to Terry.

"What did you give her?" I can tell she's not one to trust easily. I get it. I wouldn't trust her or her people to heal me if the roles were reversed.

Bobby flashed me a quick glance. As Rangeman's medic he has my trust 100%. He's great at creating specific concoctions for any type of injury. And of course, he's not going to give away his secrets. Especially to the enemy.

"I don't want to be under." Terry's face scrunched up in thought. "You know, I never noticed before but she's got a great ass."

With that comment we all took a moment to stare at Babe. Her arms were hidden beneath her still form, her right cheek was plastered to the couch cushion, the baggy T-shirt was bunched up to her waist, and her delectable ass was on full display.

"I can give you a local anesthetic." Bobby was the first to redirect our attention back to our pending task. "But it'll hurt. A lot."

At his warning, Terry nodded. She wasn't going to go under and would rather risk high scale pain. She can suit herself.

While Bobby and Lester began their process, I took a moment to check on Babe. She had a blanket draped over the back of the couch, which I used to cover her up. She'll appreciate it.

"Ready?" Bobby questioned.

"Yeah." I couldn't see her face since Bobby used the recliner as it was intended to.

The strangled sob that filled the apartment was one I've heard many times before out on the battlefield. Even the toughest of the toughest break sometimes.

S&R

I came to with the feeling of a heavy weight above me. It felt as if gravity was paying extra attention to me by sinking me further into the couch cushions.

Wait, why am I on the couch?

Then it hit me.

I was greeted with a semi-dark living room when I opened my eyes. Scanning the room, I caught a glimpse of the two goons helping Terry off the recliner and escorting her out of my apartment. A moment later I heard my front door close and the locks tumble. Seconds later, Ranger came into view.

"Babe." I gave him a soft smile as he knelt before me. He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead as he passed a hand along the length of my spine. "We need to go." Ranger said it was safe for us to head over to Rangeman now.

"Okay." Was all I could muster as he gently helped me move onto my side so he could use a bride carry to get me off the couch.

He was careful with his touch as he deposited me on my left side in the front passenger seat of the SUV. I didn't bother with a seat belt or reclining the seat. We used a similar system when he drove us from the Bonds office to my apartment. A moment later he angled into the passenger seat and backed out of the parking spot.

As he turned onto Hamilton and drove us towards Haywood, the first rays of sunlight bathed the city in light. I reached over to place my hand on his thigh and gave him a reassuring squeeze. We survived the night.