Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to Janet Evanovich and are used here without permission. No copyright infringement is intended.
Characters: Stephanie, Ranger
Genre: General / Friendship
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Defining Friendship - Better

Stephanie stood at the side of the road, a smudge of ash across her cheek, small singe marks evident on her jacket and jeans. She had been so surrounded by the smoke, she could no longer smell it on her. A beatific smile rested on her lips as her eyes shown with a warmth that made them glow, giving her an almost angelic appearance.

To the casual observer, it would look like her gaze was directed at the heartwarming scene of mother and child reunited outside a burning building.

To those who knew her, it was obvious her gaze was fixed just beyond the family image to the smoke-smudged man behind them speaking with the fire chief.

Stephanie knew Ranger was just a man, not a superhero, but she also knew he was a much better man than he wanted others – including herself – to believe.

Shaking hands with the fireman, Ranger headed over to where Stephanie stood, waiting.

“You’re a good man, Ricardo Carlos Manoso,” she said quietly as he stopped in front of her.

“Babe,” he said, his tone somewhere between pained and amused.

“What?” she demanded in disbelief. “I just saw you go into a burning building without gear to save a child and reunite her with her mother. That qualifies you as a good man.”

“Babe, I’m not a good man,” Ranger said eyes scanning the surrounding area. Taking her by the arm, he gently guided her to his car.

“Then explain to me why someone who is not a good man would risk their lives to save someone else’s?” she demanded.

Closing her door, Ranger circled the car and settled behind the steering wheel. He started the car and was well away from the area of the fire before he answered. “In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. The young they keep out of mischief; to the old they are a comfort and aid in their weakness, and those in the prime of life they incite to noble deeds’,” he quoted.

“Who said that?” Stephanie asked, surprised at the quote.

“Aristotle,” Ranger informed. Then, stopping at a traffic light, he turned to face her. “You, Stephanie Plum, are a true friend,” he admitted, before turning his attention back to the road as he continued the drive to her apartment.

Flattered and flustered, Stephanie stared out her window for a few minutes. “So you’re saying I incite you to do noble deeds?” she finally asked.

Silence filled the car until they reached Stephanie’s apartment. Once the car was stopped, Stephanie reached for the door, but was stopped by Ranger placing a hand on her arm. Turning to face him, she met his eyes and gasped softly at all she saw there.

“You make me a better man than I want to be,” he admitted softly before releasing her.

Swallowing hard, she broke eye contact and exited the car. Heading into her apartment building, she turned to look back as Ranger pulled away. Thinking of what Ranger had told her, a smile curved her lips.

Skipping her way to the elevator, she could only think that it was good to have friends.

End.

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