Disclaimer: Don't own them. Not making any money.

A/N: For those of you who are so very patiently *snort* waiting for an update to The General Daughter, just note that I am working on it so expect it by the end of next week. I've just had a lot on my plate recently and I hope you can forgive me with this little piece to tie you over for now.

So I am a complete Gleek and damn proud too! This song was on an old episode and although it's been in the circuit for a few years since Wicked came out I hadn't heard it till that episode (I cried for Kurt haha). If this isn't a Stephanie Plum song then I don't know what the hell is.

Not for diehard Cupcakes. Not really a Babe but very Babe friendly.

Please R&R!

Defying Gravity

There comes a point in your life when you just have to say enough is enough. I don't want to change myself. I love who I am. All my quirks, all my faults, they got me to this point in my life and will continue to guide me through the rest of my days. I never fit into the Burg mold. As a kid I was out jumping in mud puddles while all the other girls where playing house. Now, as a grown woman, I'm out chasing the bad guys while all my friends and family are at home with their kids and husbands. Being married to The Dick was more of a marriage experience that I've ever wanted. Hook me up to a lie detector and ask me why I married him. Did I love him at the time? Maybe. Did I marry him because I thought I did? No.

Val was married and had Angie by then and my mom only thought it was right to force marriage and kids down my throat. She and Val were happily married, why couldn't I be? Everyone else in the Burg were growing up properly; meeting nice people, working at a respectable job, getting married, having kids, and taking care of their homes. Why couldn't I do the same? I can't remember a time where my mom would just let me be me. I never wanted any of that. Don't get me wrong, I don't think there is anything wrong with that life; it's just not for me. Some people dream of the 2.5 kids and white picket fence. All I've ever wanted was to fly. To have the wind in my hair, feel my blood pounding through my veins as I went higher and higher, past the limits of everyone else. I need to soar past my pain and longing to a place where I can be free to be me.

I've put it off for so many years. Not anymore though. No. Today I was going to spread my wings. Today I was going to fly or fall trying. Either way as I watched Ranger and Joe walk toward me I knew that things would never be the same.

A lonely tear slid down my cheek.

I was freeing myself.

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap

Ranger reached me first and knelt down beside me on the sidewalk. His eyes flickered over to my now late Toyota Camry that was smoldering just down the block. "You ok, Babe?" he asked softly as he wiped my tear away.

I knew my face was breaking out into a huge smile. "Better than ever Batman." His lips twitched slightly. I was amusing him again.

Before I could say anything, Joe reached us. His face was redder than I thought possible. It looked like his whole head was getting bigger. Like a balloon getting pumped full of air. It stretches and widens until it finally reaches the breaking point. One more burst of air and then . . .

POP

"What the hell did you do now Stephanie?" Morelli yelled, completely ignoring everyone around us. "How many cars do you need to destroy? How many times do you need to almost die before you get your head of your ass and realize that you shouldn't be doing this? You're going to get yourself killed and what will happen then? Do you want to die? Do you want to leave me like that? No marriage! No kids! Is that what you want? Answer me Stephanie?" His hands were balled up at his sides; they were turning white from his effort not to move closer to me. Ranger had moved out from in front of me so I could see Joe but he was definately in reaching distance in case Joe really flipped his switch.

I considered all the things I could say and finally decided on a simple, "yes". My carefree smile still going strong.

The tension in the air sky rocketed. Everyone was watching us, waiting for the real show now. Out of the corner of my eye Big Dog and Carl slowly moved toward us. Both had grimaces of their faces.

It's time to try
Defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I am defying gravity
And you won't bring me down

Joe took a deep breath in and shook his head. "You don't mean that. You don't want to die Cupcake."

My head tilted as I thought about it. "No, you're right. I don't want to die," a spark of relief and hope spread through his eyes, "but I don't want kids. I don't want to get married. I don't want to be with you."

His eyes were blazing again. "It's because of his isn't it!" he screamed and jerked his head at Ranger.

"No Joe. Ranger has nothing to do with this. This is all me." I stood up slowly and walked closer to him, Ranger was at my back like a shadow. "I don't want to be the wife and mother that you want and need so bad. I can't be her Joe."

"So you had a bad experience with Dickie, that doesn't mean it won't work between us Cupcake."

I counted to ten in my head. "Joe," I moved closer to him and placed my hands on the side of his face, "listen to me. This is not about Dickie. This is not about Ranger. This has nothing to do with anyone in my life. This is about me and me alone. The thought of having kids and getting married scares me. Becoming my mother scares me. She chose her life. Everyone in the 'Burg chose to stay and have that life. I'm choosing not to. I don't want to be stuck here. I won't let myself be caged any longer. I'm breaking free and I'm gonna spread my wings."

His voice came out disgusted and thick with anger. "You've never wanted to be with me did you?"

I couldn't stop from sighing as I took my hands away from him and wrapped my arms around myself. "I've loved you for a long time Joe, but love isn't enough. One of us would have to change to make this work. I won't compromise myself anymore and I would never ask you to change yourself for me."

His eyes nearly burned me. "Are you saying I'm wrong for wanting you to be safe beside me? Is it so horrible to want my girlfriend to have a secure job?"

"There's nothing wrong with that but trying to force me into a lifestyle I don't want is wrong."

"I just want you to be happy with me. Quit your job and that can happen Cupcake." I had to look away from him. His eyes were filling with despair. In a last ditch effort when I didn't respond he pulled me into his arms and buried his face into my neck. "Just let me love you Stephanie. I promise to work on my issues with your job. I won't complain anymore," he whispered into my skin.

"It would eat you alive Joe, I can't ask you to do that. It's time for us to grow up and stop hurting each other." I turned and kissed his cheek lightly. His gripped tightened, I didn't think he was going to let me go, but after a minute he slowly released me. "I'm sorry I can't be what you need," I said softly.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to my forehead, "Yeah, me too Cupcake. Me too." Then he smiled. It didn't reach his eyes but he was trying. "There's a Rangers game next week. What do you say to pizza and beer at my place?"

I smiled back. "Sounds great."

He stood there awkwardly for a minute before leaving. He went straight to his car and didn't look back.

My heart didn't know what to feel. Part of it felt like a weight was being lifted off it. The other part felt like it was being stomped on.

Everyone started getting back to work, purposely ignoring me for now. The show was over. I knew money would be exchanging hands some time later.

The tingling sensation on my neck reminded me that Ranger was still right behind me a moment before his hand touched the small of my back. I turned at looked at his smiling face. "Proud of you Babe."

And just like that I was smiling again. Later on when I'm alone in bed I can cry for what might have been between Joe and I. Right now though, it was my time to be me.

I'm through accepting limits
'cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost

It was time. "I need your help with something Professor Higgins."

His lips twitched more. "What do you need?"

"I want to learn. Everything you know I want you to teach me. If I want to keep my cars I need to understand some things. I can't keep relying on luck to defend myself."

Ranger wrapped his arm around me with a small smile. "I think I can do that." Since I had already given my statement before Joe arrived, we started walking towards the Porsche. Just as I was sliding in Ranger said, "You do realize you'll have to go running now right?"

I stared at him for a moment, hearing the words but not understanding. Then it dawned on me. Running. "You sick bastard," I said with no heat in my voice.

He laughed out loud. I can only remember a handful of times he's done that. It made my heart hurt a little less. He gave me his 1000 watt smile as he closed my door. Only a second later was we sliding into the driver's seat and making the car purr as it started up.

"Let's get going Eliza."

On the way to Rangeman a flock of birds passed over us. Soon I was going to be able to fly right next to them.

I let my wings out and now there's no way I'm putting them away.

I know it won't be easy and I might fall a few times, but with Rangers help I know that I'll be able to make it.

One day I'll be able to stand proud of what I've accomplished.

One day I was really going to fly.

The journey to that day starts now.

My wings will carry me high and no one will be able to bring me down.

I'd sooner buy
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
And you won't bring me down

A/N: Thanks for reading!
Cyn *love*