Too Far Away
It was nearly three in the morning when Stephanie heard Ranger come home to his luxurious Rangeman apartment. She knew because she had been checking the clock every five minutes, waiting for the moment when her mind switched off and she could get some sleep. She was exhausted, emotionally drained, and she wasn't looking forward to a repeat performance of tonight's lecture on gun safety.
Stephanie closed her eyes, pretending to be sound asleep. She knew Ranger would know better, but she hoped he would understand her need for a break and not broach the subject again right away. They could talk in the morning, when they both had had some time to cool down. Bringing it up again now would only make things worse.
Ranger stood in the doorway, silently watching her. She had her back to him, her face buried in her pillow. The universal sign for go away and leave me alone. And she looked like she had been crying. Ranger held his breath as a wave of regret coursed through him. He wasn't looking forward to what he knew would be a restless night for both of them, but a small part of him was extremely relieved. Had she been very angry, she would have packed her things and moved back to her apartment. But her hamster was still on his kitchen counter and she was still in his shirt, in his bed. She had chosen to stay. That had to count for something.
He undressed and climbed into bed, careful not to disturb her in case her sleeping act wasn't an act at all. After a few moments, he found a comfortable position on his side, his back to hers, both on opposite ends of his enormous bed. The space between them multiplying their silence a million times over.
Stephanie could sense his presence behind her. He was so close and yet so far away still. Too far away. In the past five months, there hadn't been one night together when their bodies weren't touching, their limbs entwined, holding each other close. When Ranger was away on business, she missed the intimacy and the familiar security of waking up in his arms. She dreaded those lonely nights more than anything...until now. Now she knew that the only thing worse than being alone was being together and still so far apart.
Cautiously, Stephanie rolled onto her back and looked over at Ranger. He wasn't asleep, she could tell by the way he was breathing.
"Ranger?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ranger took in a deep breath and turned to face her. He reached for her in the darkness, cuddling her into him. She responded by nuzzling his neck and slipping her leg over his, taking comfort in the embrace.
Ranger brushed a kiss across her temple. "I'm sorry," he whispered into her ear.
"I'm sorry, too," she said, her lips brushing against his neck as she spoke.
"I love you," Ranger said, his voice slow and husky as sleep began to claim him.
Stephanie snuggled up against him, reaffirming her hold on the man she loved more than she could put into words, the best person she'd ever known. With her mind settled and her heart at ease, Stephanie closed her eyes and surrendered to a good nights rest.
- The End -