The New Ranger Arrives
Christopher Uley arrived in Forks on a rare warm sunny morning after leaving when he was only six years old… he had graduated the forestry academy and when the posting for La Push opened up he requested it and was immediately assigned, it was if it was meant for him. He was ½ White and ½ Quileute but never felt accepted by either people. He walked into the diner and sat down promptly ordering breakfast as he waited for his old childhood best friend, and cousin, Sam to meet him there. He looked at Cora and thanked her as she refilled his coffee.
The newly assigned ranger was a tall, rather athletic young man wearing an olive green forestry ranger uniform. Some of the locals muttered about his Indian heritage… the towns Quileute were quick to point out that he was not totally their blood either. His father died when he was six years old… no one ever talked about why… all Chris could remember was that his mother took him far away from the La Push reservation never to talk about his native family again.
Sam came in the diner and smiled as he saw his cousin, "It's good to see you again Chris… you look impressive in that forestry uniform."
Chris motioned for Sam to have a seat, "It's been a long time, but I recognized you the moment you walked in…" he handed Sam a menu, "breakfast on me… my treat, we have so much to catch up on."
"How's your mom," Sam asked?
A look of sadness came across the ranger's face, "she died two years ago… I have no family left on Mom's side." He sighed, "So when I graduated top rank from the academy and could request whatever station I wanted, I volunteered for the Forks/La Push ranger station, strange that it just opened up. I was expecting to be the assistant ranger, but the veteran ranger Adams has disappeared. Seems that you guys have a bit of a hard time keeping a ranger over the past couple of years they get attacked by animals or die mysteriously. I thought if I…"
Sam interrupted, "no Chris… anywhere but here… go to Olympia or one of the other national parks, there are much better places out there besides this small place."
"Sam," Chris said, "the only family I have in the world is my father's people and they are on the La Push reservation… I know my mom said many hurtful things and left on bad terms, but don't judge me because my mom was hurt by Dad's death... she never talked about it." He sighed, "Remember when we were young and became blood brothers…"
Sam interrupted him, "many things have changed Chris, I can't explain. You have been gone so long you were not raised within our people. You will be an outsider."
"Outsider, half-breed, injun… I've been called it all growing up going to the white schools… I know very well I'm not really white, but I'm not really Quileute either. I just want family… even family that will only half accept my half blood is better than no family at all." Chris was beginning to get flustered a bit… his body temperature seemed to raise a bit… "It's getting hot in here now I think I'm getting a cold or something… perhaps we should dwell on more pleasant thoughts of childhood."
Sam nodded, "but consider that there is a lot of dangerous wildlife in these parts… and be safe… that's all I ask."
"Always cousin," Chris said, "I've been trained about all manner of wildlife that can be found out in the forest.
The two of them share a peaceful breakfast… afterwards Sam went back to promptly inform the tribal council that Chris is back and has no intention of going anywhere… and Chris departs to check into his duty station and settle into his new residence at the park ranger station.
Three days later Chris was still feeling quite feverish... but he still had to work, there was no other ranger he was alone. A report of an animal attack killing a vagrant in the woods had gotten the attention of his Captain who sent orders for him to go photograph the attack scene. He double checked how he looked in his uniform as he grabbed the camera. He took a cold bottle of water out of the fridge and went out to the jeep. He put his jacket on at the station but had taken it off by the time he got in the jeep... the weather was cool and he should not feel so hot, did not exactly feel sick strangely he was breaking a sweat.
He drove to the scene of the attack and it had already been roped off, the body removed, and investigated by the town's law enforcement. His job was to photograph and find out what kind of animal attacked the vagrant… however all he saw was hundreds of footprints… human footprints everywhere and no animal prints. "Damn," he said as he heard some popping and cracking in the woods only to look up and see Sam, Paul and Jared come through the woods. "So you guys are the ones who have trampled the attack scene. I need to find out what animal attacked the homeless…"
He was interrupted by Jared, "this is a matter for our people white-man."
Sam shook his head, "Jared, mind your tongue, Chris is family… he's half Quileute give him that much respect."
"I am a National Parks Ranger," Chris said, "a federal employee and I am charged with everyone's safety in the woods around here, that includes yours."
"You don't know what you are dealing with Mister Ranger," Paul said politely, "you best leave before you…"
"Before I what," Chris snapped back.
"Boys," Sam said, "we need to show the ranger some more respect."
Chris tugged at his collar as it seemed like the temperature had went up thirty degrees and Sam noticed that he was beginning to sweat profusely, "well since my attack scene has been trampled around by your…" he was starting to convulse due to the heat, his vision became extremely blurry. The Cullens were hunting nearby and he was in the presence of his tribe.
Sam remembered that his dad was killed in the last vampire conflict… his dad was a wolf, "Are you feeling ok cousin?"
"I don't know suddenly I just feel hot and weak," Chris said.
Jared looked with wide eye wonder, "No way he's a half-breed." Which got a very dirty look from Sam who had sat Chris down on a log and was removing his uniform shirt.
"You are burning up with fever Cousin you are in no shape to be investigating anything…" he said as he pointed to Jared… "Go get Carlisle Cullen and hurry." He said harshly.
"You will be alright Chris, you probably have the flu I'm getting you the best doctor out here in these parts." He said as Paul poured some bottled water on Chris's head. Sam was in total denial… it couldn't… he couldn't. "You are my cousin, my childhood best friend who was taken from me. I don't want to see you sick, or hurt."
Jared ran off and there was a sound of ripping clothes for a second and the pounding of two feet became four… Chris could hear it so clearly it was strange… he felt an air of electricity and tingling on his skin. It was almost intoxicating he looked at Sam, "maybe I've been drugged."
Sam thought it was a logical explanation, "so it seems cousin," he said "at least I hope that is what it is, or a virus or something."
Minutes pass by and Carlisle appears as if from nowhere making no sound, "what is wrong Sam," he asked?
The final transformation catalyst was the arrival of Carlisle… Chris had returned to his childhood home and was surrounded by the energies of the pack and the vampires since arrival… he seemed to have a small seizure and suddenly his body exploded into a large pony-sized blond wolf with icy blue eyes. He was suddenly aware of so much… and of other people.
Jared's voice thundered through his head, "the half-breed is a wolf… what are we going to do about that?"
Another voice rang through asking, "a half-breed?" It was Quil Ateara who was puzzled by the statement.
"I hear the Ranger was Sam's cousin," Embry Call chimed in from an unknown distance, "he does not know our ways, he is not one of us... what are we gonna do?"
Finally the voice of Jacob silenced them all, "folks we will deal with this… Sam told me about him… none of us knew that this was possible… but then again Renesme was not possible either. We need to take him in and teach him our ways… about the pack… and vampires."
This time Chris was puzzled, "Vampires," his voice said in his mind in a questioning tone that the rest of the wolves heard? Chris would never know privacy again as all his innermost thoughts are now shared with the pack.
Jacob's voice laughed, "yes Vampires…" he said, "Our good doctor is one before you. I'll leave Sam to explain as much as possible to you. Carlisle nodded and waved goodbye disappearing as fast as he appeared. Chris looked around through his wolf's eyes and the wolf whimpered then he turned to look at Sam and saw the most impressive jet black wolf.
The black wolf turned his head towards the woods, "come with me cousin… we have much to talk about…" the black wolf walked round him and sniffed him much like a dog would, "even your fur is too light… you would stick out in any fight, but I guess having a park ranger in the pack will help us keep our secrets… you are one of us now like it or not."
Chris had a bit of trouble coordinating the four paws but got the hang of it, he followed Sam into the clearing where Sam looked up at the moon and howled… several other wolves began to howl in the background and something within Chris seemed to overwhelm him. He pointed his head up to the sky and howled along with them, for the first time in a long time he felt family… even if the family reluctantly accepted him.
Out of the Classroom
Two more years. If she could just hold on two more years she would be done with veterinary school and finally able to make some money. Of course most of it would go to paying off her student loans, but at least this phase of her life would be over.
Tatiana finger combed her hair into her palm and snapped a clip over the knot. The late May weather was predictably damp with just enough wind to make an actual hairstyle out of the question. Not that it would matter - Tatiana loved her curly hair long but always tied it up. It was more convenient and it wasn't like she had anyone to impress. Not anymore anyway.
Just the opposite in fact. She was actively trying to duck any interest from a certain quarter...
Professor Matthew Jones had offered her the position as his assistant as part of her work-study. It paid better than working in the bookstore and was a lot more impressive for her resume. Of course it also was a lot more work - namely taking away her entire summer so she could follow him out into the woods to study the alarming (to zoologists at least) decrease in predators and resultant overpopulation of small ground animals. In the publish-or-perish world of professional academics it was a newsworthy story.
Tatiana wished she cared more. Or she wished she liked the professor more. Or better yet, that he was a little less... enthusiastic about the time they were going to spend in the woods together.
He had used part of his study grant buying a used sixteen-foot Airstream that came complete with drapes and plastic dishes. Tatiana had smiled and nodded when he had asked if it was perfect. She figured it was better than sleeping in a tent even if a tent might afford more privacy...
It was only three months, she told herself, turning onto the side road that lead into the Quileute reservation. Beside her Jones was babbling incessantly, practically bouncing in his seat as he pointed out one thing or the other. Reflexively, Tatiana nodded and murmured agreeably without really hearing whatever he was going on about. Honestly it was like a small, pour fishing village. The Quileute tribe did not even have a casino like the smarter tribes. Tatiana mentally sighed. It was going to be a long three months.
Or maybe not. Tatiana really didn't understand it. Jones had offered the tiny tribe an outrageous sum for what amounted to an RV site rental and hiking privileges. Yes they would be tagging some game and setting up cameras but they would do nothing that should have an impact on the ecosystem long-term. Besides they would no doubt be buying supplies and such. Overall it might not bring them wealth but still the tribe would only benefit. Jones had thought the meeting a formality. Tatiana shook her head as she drove home in the rain, Jones ranting beside her.
There had been something... odd about the Quileute council. The elder and spokesman - a wizened old man in a wheelchair named Billy Black - had listened politely, but his eyes and jaw had been stony. Beside him, one of the biggest men Tatiana had ever seen, sat like a body guard, hard but silent, regarding the two of them as if they were beneath notice. They had all deferred to Black. After Tatiana's PowerPoint presentation, Black had politely but firmly declined and dismissed the Council. Naturally, Jones had protested, eventually laying a hand on the old man's wheelchair and demanding explanations. But no excuse was offered. Jones had only backed off when the 250lb half-naked monster of a bodyguard had planted a firm hand on Jones' shoulder and offered to "help" them to the car. Tatiana had needed no further prompting.
As Dr. Jones bemoaned the "disaster" and cursed the Quileutes as backwards hillbillies Tatiana silently smiled to herself. Maybe the summer wouldn't be ruined after all. If she could just live through the rainy drive home with the dashboard-kicking, cursing, middle aged lunatic...
"You don't take rejection well, do you?" She finally interjected an hour into his increasing tirade. It was the first thing she had said since they had left the reservation.
He froze, looking at her as if she had slapped him. His narrow, pointed jaw tightened and then ground together.
Tatiana sighed and backpedaled. He was her boss after all. "So we will have to do the research on the public reserve. And isn't there another tribe just to the north...the Hookems or whatever?" She shrugged and gave him a forced smile intended to reassure. After all, it wasn't like the Quileute owed all of the Olympic peninsula.
"But the predators..." He started again, his voice sulky.
"Yeah..." She sighed. The areas immediately around the Quileute tribe had shown a remarkable decrease in large predators but the areas slightly farther out were reporting an influx. It would be hard to report on one without the other.
There was a lot of speculation on what could cause this: seismic activity, perhaps a decrease in prey, or even disease. The ecosystem was a miraculous and usually self-correcting organism. But why the changes? Why would predators who normally thrived on the Quileute land suddenly be fleeing or dying off?
"Maybe he will change his mind." Tatiana allowed with a small smile in his direction. Of course if he couldn't or wouldn't do the research without Billy Black's permission then that was good too. Professor Jones had proven to be a bit temperamental during this journey. Manic-depressive even. Not exactly an ideal companion for a summer camping in the woods.
Two weeks later they were headed back towards Forks, Airstream in tow behind a borrowed silver and blue 1991 GMC Sierra with an empty gun rack in the window. The engine seemed to groan under the weight, making the drive somehow feel like work. Tatiana had never driven anything like it. And with the driving rain and wind coming in from the Pacific the RV seemed to have a mind of its own. By the time they pulled up to the little diner just north of the little town her forearms were achy from the death grip she had maintained on the wheel during the long drive.
The little diner was quaint, a little run down maybe, and could really use a pressure wash, but it seemed popular. With a growing sense of unease Tatiana wondered if it was the only place in town and longed for a Starbucks.
Inside twenty odd patrons mingled, talking easily to each other and the waitress in a way that suggested a family meal. On the counter was a display with four honey-gold pies and one three-layer chocolate cake. That had to be a good sign, she decided.
Hey there folks, sit anywhere you want." The waitress called, waving an order tablet vaguely toward the emptier side of the room.
Prof. Jones skulked behind her and flopped into a window booth, legs akimbo, as if he had already had a hard day. Fortunately the speakers in the truck didn't work so he had brought his iPod, leaving Tatiana in peace. Even now she could hear the tinny sound of music coming from the ear buds. The right one dangled against his chest. Perhaps he would ignore her during lunch.
The omelet was delicious: gooey with cheese and fluffy from the pancake batter mixed into the eggs. The coffee was okay. She considered ordering pie, but decided to forgo the indulgence since the RV was full of junk food. After all, Pop Tarts and Little Debbie cakes wouldn't spoil. Who knew how often he would let them come in to town to eat?
"You folks passing through?" A deep voice asked from behind Tatiana, disturbing her reverie.
Her head whipped around to find a middle aged policeman with a bit of a gut standing practically over her shoulder. A gold name tag said "C. Swan". The other shoulder bore a badge that said "Sheriff". Tatiana craned her neck to stare up at him.
Dr. Jones introduced himself, and with a wave assigned her the role of his student without offering her name. Tatiana twitched at that, but did not interrupt.
"That your trailer, Dr. Jones?" It was clear from the Chief Swan's tone that the title meant more here than it did on campus.
The professor's eyes darted worriedly to her, out the window to the vehicle in question, and then with a scowl back to her. "Tatiana, did you park in a fire lane?" Clearly he intended to lay on her whatever misdeed the sheriff had come over to handle.
Before she could no more than shake her head in open-mouthed incredulity, Chief Swan interrupted, "She is a beaut! Where are you camping?"
That was all Dr. Jones needed. Some five minutes later the officer was obviously desperate to back out of the conversation, even to physically taking a few small steps back until his thighs jarred the empty table behind him. The movements of predators had seemed to interest him at first and he had warned them of some recent local attacks, but once Dr. Jones started in on lifecycles, breeding habits, and the overpopulation of small game, the slightly paunchy man's chocolate brown eyes had glazed over.
"Would you excuse me?" Tatiana slid out of the booth and made her own escape. Time to brush her teeth one last time in normal running water. She had never been camping but the hookups hadn't inspired confidence. Not for the first time she regretted taking this job.
When she exited the diner she found Chief Swan and another tall policeman with Dr. Jones talking about fishing. This seemed to be a much more interesting topic, at least for the two locals who had all sorts of advice. It was Jones' turn to look bored.
By time Tatiana dragged the Airstream into the campgrounds it was after 2pm. It took her several attempts to get the RV parked in the proper position so that they could reach the hookups. With some relief she had spied a fairly nice red brick building advertising showers and vending machines. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad.
Dr. Jones was fairly useless mechanically so Tatiana was left to decipher the hookups. The electric had been easy enough but the water lines were a different matter. She had stashed a pair of Playtex gloves just for this sort of thing, but the bright yellow rubber did little to help her secure the "gray" water to the line. Either she needed more strength or a wrench or some instructions... Why hadn't she thought to bring some tools? Because she didn't own any, that's why. Her low growl turned to a sigh of frustration as she turned and slumped against the RV.
Chris quietly walked up behind the young lady, "growling at it will not get it done." He said with a sly smile of amusement with her frustration. He knelt down and looked at the underbelly of the airstream, "you need some plumber's tape," he said as he rummaged through the open toolbox and got out the white Teflon tape roll and wrapped it around the threads. She politely got out of his way and gladly allowed him to take over. Chris then connected the cold potable water hose to the intake outlet and finger tightened it. He then hooked the grey-wastewater line up so that it would drain away from the trailer. He then put on a pair of the rubber gloves and hooked the sewage pipe up to the sanitary drain. "There you go... three easy steps and now you are ready." His eyes were blue, his hair was sandy blond and his skin pale white, yet he had similar facial structure of the Quileutes she had met before. He found the young lady quite interesting, "My name is Chris Uley, but the locals have started calling me Ranger Chris." He said as he extended his hand out to shake hers then realized that he was still wearing a messy rubber glove... "Oh, excuse me." He said as he took off the glove and offered his hand again.
Tatiana recovered quickly from the surprise of his presence. A man of his extraordinary size should sound like a buffalo not sneak about like a panther. She must have been concentrating harder than she thought.
He was beautiful. Blonde, blue eyed with pale skin, though his bone structure belied his coloring. Perhaps more peculiar was the dancer-like grace with which he moved. As he knelt to connect the sewer lines she pivoted as if in orbit, admiring the other side.
The uniform was made of the same sort of thick permanent-press fabric as Chief Swan's but in a green-on-green color scheme. As he knelt the britches molded themselves to his body, revealing the rest of him to be as well muscled as his bare forearms.
Before he finished she managed to pull herself together. "Ranger Chris," she echoed his self-conscious laugh over the gloves, dropping her eyes to his hands as he stripped free of the yellow plastic. Her teeth caught her lower lip as she slipped her fingers around his hot palm. Too hot. Her blue eyes flicked to his in surprise.
"Tatiana," she replied as her hand slipped from his. "And thank you," she nodded at the connections and gave him a nervous smile. "First time in the woods..." She gave an exaggerated little cringe. "Guess I have a lot to learn."
'Stupid, stupid, stupid...'
Chris smiled back, "the first thing that I have to teach you is never go out in the woods alone… especially after dark. There's been many wildlife attacks recently and there's safety in numbers." He looked around the campsite, "so that you don't attract bears make sure that you put all trash that has leftover food safely in the dumpster at the bottom of the road away from the campsite. Bears have been known to tear up cars and camping trailers to get to the food inside." He looked at the door on the trailer and it had the appropriate deadbolt lock. "Always lock that deadbolt even during the day while you are in the trailer. Make sure anyone that's with you has a key and they lock the deadbolt when you come in. If you are going to have any excess quantity of food in your car you are welcome to store it at the ranger station, we have a room that seals all scents in it so that it won't attract them." He looked around the trailer, "this one is an older model… it's made a lot better than the new ones… if you hear wildlife outside it's best to remain calm, it's when you panic they will try harder to get to you."
Chris was looking at this beautiful young lady she was not the usual girl from forks and she was quite attractive… he felt something swell and he promptly took his hat off and covered an erection, "again, if you need me I'll be right over there at the ranger station." He said as he pointed to a cabin across the way from the campsite.
Having never been good at deception, Tatiana's face was a transparent mask, revealing the effect is words had on her. Her first reaction was an almost childish outrage that he was forbidding her to walk in the woods alone. Then as he went on about the bears coming into the campsite, her eyes drifted away from him as if searching the nearby trees for large predators. She straightened at that, her arms folding behind her as her fingers slid into the back pocket of her jeans. It was a pose anyone who knew her well would know to mean she was making some connection. Her ears heard his warnings about deadbolts and excess food... but her mind was clearly on something else.
When he pointed to the cabin, her gaze followed the gesture, her teeth catching her lip for just a second before she turned back toward him with almost ferocious energy. Gone was the frustrated young woman, replaced by the research assistant that had spent months pouring over other people's data to write up the basis for Dr. Jones' work. "You have been having a problem with bears in the campsite itself?" She paused, head tilting a little as she stared at the ground, mind whirling. When she went on it was almost to herself. "They don't usually attack people unless they feel threatened. And most bear attacks don't wind up with the victim eaten, merely mauled. When bears show up in close proximity to lots of people," she gestured vaguely at the campsite, where maybe half a dozen campers and RV's were parked and beyond the restrooms half a parking lot full of vehicles from day visitors, "it's usually because their natural food sources are threatened or they have been driven from their homes by..." she paused again, seeking his gaze, "well, usually us. Not too many other predators threaten bears."
But of course he knew all this. He was a Park Ranger for crying out loud. She shook her head, took a breath and addressed him as she should have from the get-go... and might have if he hadn't found her sulking over the plumbing. "We are here to study the bears... and other predators: mountain lions, coyotes, and wolves. There have been recent studies showing that there has been a shift in the location and number of large predators away from the coast here toward the mountains, and an over-population of small game." She flinched and shrugged a little, anticipating that he would not be too thrilled with her next words. She found them ridiculous herself. "There have been reports of very large wolves in the area - I'm sure you heard the rumors - and my boss would love to be the first to 'discover' a new subfamily of Canini. That would certainly explain the other large predators migrating out of the area, though the reports of bear-size wolves sound fairly incredulous. And that doesn't explain the small game..." Pulling one hand out of her back pocket, she tapped the side of the silver RV. "I'm supposed to spend the next few days setting up cameras in the woods so we can try and track the wildlife."
Having never been good at deception, Tatiana's face was a transparent mask, revealing the effect is words had on her. Her first reaction was an almost childish outrage that he was forbidding her to walk in the woods alone. Then as he went on about the bears coming into the campsite, her eyes drifted away from him as if searching the nearby trees for large predators. She straightened at that, her arms folding behind her as her fingers slid into the back pocket of her jeans. It was a pose anyone who knew her well would know to mean she was making some connection. Her ears heard his warnings about deadbolts and excess food... but her mind was clearly on something else.
Chris felt bad as he immediately though that he insulted her intelligence… he watched the defiance in her face and his immediate thought was how adorable. He continued to hold his hat over his sensitive area as the whole display seemed to fan the proverbial flames.
When he pointed to the cabin, her gaze followed the gesture, her teeth catching her lip for just a second before she turned back toward him with almost ferocious energy. Gone was the frustrated young woman, replaced by the research assistant that had spent months pouring over other people's data to write up the basis for Dr. Jones' work. "You have been having a problem with bears in the campsite itself?" She paused, head tilting a little as she stared at the ground, mind whirling. When she went on it was almost to herself. "They don't usually attack people unless they feel threatened. And most bear attacks don't wind up with the victim eaten, merely mauled. When bears show up in close proximity to lots of people," she gestured vaguely at the campsite, where maybe half a dozen campers and RV's were parked and beyond the restrooms half a parking lot full of vehicles from day visitors, "it's usually because their natural food sources are threatened or they have been driven from their homes by..." she paused again, seeking his gaze, "well, usually us. Not too many other predators threaten bears."
"Why of course us…," he said and was immediately interrupted. Her tirade was absolutely adorable… her voice had a musical quality to it. She had fire and spirit… something he admired in a woman.
But of course he knew all this. He was a Park Ranger for crying out loud. She shook her head, took a breath and addressed him as she should have from the get-go... and might have if he hadn't found her sulking over the plumbing. "We are here to study the bears... and other predators: mountain lions, coyotes, and wolves. There have been recent studies showing that there has been a shift in the location and number of large predators away from the coast here toward the mountains, and an over-population of small game." She flinched and shrugged a little, anticipating that he would not be too thrilled with her next words. She found them ridiculous herself. "There have been reports of very large wolves in the area - I'm sure you heard the rumors - and my boss would love to be the first to 'discover' a new subfamily of Canine. That would certainly explain the other large predators migrating out of the area, though the reports of bear-size wolves sound fairly incredulous. And that doesn't explain the small game..." Pulling one hand out of her back pocket, she tapped the side of the silver RV. "I'm supposed to spend the next few days setting up cameras in the woods so we can try and track the wildlife."
The Ranger's deceptive skills were almost equally as bad, if not worse, than hers. "Yes there's bears and wolves and badgers and crazy raccoons out there as well… all would gladly bite or scratch you." He said with a boyish smile, "I haven't heard anything about bear-sized wolves though… and to be honest it sounds kind of storybook." He said brushing it off… of course Chris was not worried a bit at all about wolves, vampires on the other hand… "Look, I don't want that pretty face of yours scratched, bitten or otherwise messed up." There… he said it… truth. Suddenly a female voice boomed across the campground and Chris looked deeply at Tatiana his eyes were talking… and they said HELP ME!
'Pretty face?!' Tatiana couldn't help but grin, blushing eighty kinds of pink. On the one hand it was a terrible attempt at flattery, about as smooth as sand paper. And yet there was something charming about his artlessness. "Ranger Chris," a voice said that sounded like a thousand nails across a chalkboard. "Ranger Chris," it said again then suddenly a very unkempt young woman wearing a halter-top and cutoff jeans said as she came into view, "why don't you come by our camper tonight, we are grilling steak."
Chris smiled and said, "No thanks Kim." He looked at Tatiana, "I'm vegetarian."
"Ok," Kim said, "we have chicken?"
The problem that had sprung up in the olive green pants had suddenly disappeared and he put his hat back on. He turned to look at Tatiana, "I have a previous appointment." She would have been blind not to see the desperation in his eyes and prayed that she would come up with a plausible excuse to get away from this person.
The woman's appearance was a bucket of ice water to Tatiana's mood as well. How had she forgotten that they weren't alone? Already pink, she cleared her throat in embarrassment, feeling like a criminal, before steeling her spine and moving to meet the new comer. All embarrassment fled at that point, replaced by humor. Even from the small interaction it seemed obvious from the woman's dreamy look that she liked 'Ranger Chris'. This had Tatiana eyeing the big forest ranger again with more objective eyes. Of course, every woman who met him would have the same ridiculous reaction she had had. He probably counted on it to help him keep the peace. Had what she taken for artless flirting been more calculated? Suddenly she felt the fool. "Tatiana," she interjected, stepping toward the woman and holding out her hand. "We just arrived today." She indicated the Airstream with a nod of her head. "I'm guessing we are neighbors?" Though Kim clearly saw Tatiana, she chose to ignore her after a scathing glance. It was a cut-direct worthy of a regency duchess. Rather than be hurt or annoyed, Tatiana found it humorous and smoothly decided to aid the ranger. After all, she did owe him for hooking up the RV. Turning to half face him she graciously indicated Kim with a wave of the hand that had been extended to shake the older woman's. "I won't keep you from a delicious 'vegetarian' chicken dinner if you would rather..." She trailed off, working to contain her amusement as she finally took in the look of (what she took to be) panic and desperation on his chiseled face. The corners of her mouth twitched and she turned slightly further in his direction hoping Kim would not see through the game. "After all, we could always start our scouting tomorrow," she shrugged, beaming up at him. So which did he want least? Vegetarian chicken...or to take her into the woods at dusk? Not that she would hold him to it. But she couldn't help enjoying his discomfort just a little...
Chris smiled slyly at Tatiana, "Kim, I have to pass… I do appreciate the offer for dinner, but Tatiana is here to do some very serious scientific research. It's important enough that we have to meet this evening to go over maps of the forest where I can show her the animal attacks we have recently experienced. This is important not just for their research but the safety of all our park guests." That was 100% truth and the ranger sounded very official.
Kim stormed off from the two of them obviously she felt rejected, "Whew I dodge a bullet thank you."
Watching the retreating form, Tatiana just knew that that would not be the end of things with Kim. If she was not very much mistaken she had just made an enemy... How dangerous of an enemy to be seen. If only the woman were a little less... rustic looking, maybe Jones would take an interest. Well it was still worth a try. Though maybe sending her boss into the arms of an enemy wasn't her best play.
With a small sigh she turned her attention back to the rather rustic man beside her. Yes, women of all sorts would fight like cats for his attention. The realization that this was all like a cliché plot for an adult film... or horror movie... made her smile ruefully.
"Not a problem, though she will be back." Tatiana warned. "You might need to invest in a Billy club." She couldn't help but snicker at the image. Big as he was physically defending himself wasn't the problem. It was how to do it without sending his admirers running to his boss with complaints.
Diplomatically, the hunky forest ranger chose not to comment.
"I hope you like spaghetti…" he said, "vegetarian Puttanesca sauce, my mother's recipe." Chris was raised vegetarian but since his first change he has been drawn to the smell of meat and his body seemed to crave it. "Coupled with a nice Caesar salad that should give us a boost to go for a hike before sundown."
He was asking her to dinner? On the one hand she couldn't help beaming at him. But before she could comment a more likely motive stuck her. How did they put it in that British TV show? 'Come over, I'll cook,' really meant 'let's have sex, I'll cater.'
The result was that in the few seconds it took her to answer her face went from joy to suspicion to a sort of wary resignation. Handsome as he was, and as flattered as she was by the invitation, she wasn't going to sleep with him.
But the project would be so much easier with him. And truly she simply wanted to know more about him. "Vegetarian, huh?" She never would have guessed it, looking at him. He definitely looked more carnivore than herbivore. "What time?"
Chris was embarrassed it sounded like he was making a major pass at her… Damn! "Yeah, it's healthier not to eat meat, and the animals sure appreciate it." He said with a kind smile, "I hope I didn't give you the wrong impression… seriously I made a lot of sauce and it's been cooking in the crock pot. I usually have friends that love to eat it. I can't make a small batch and I found that the deep freeze in the cabin was used to store dead animals found in the forest that are sent to the University for Dissection… I don't think I want to put anything I intend to eat in it… ever!"
She waved away his concerns, glad as she was for them. The idea of a man cooking - well, she had to see that just to believe it. Cringing at the idea of keeping food, she wrinkled up her nose in an exaggerated expression of disgust. She had dissected more than her share of animals as part of her training, but unlike some of her classmates had never gotten so comfortable as to be able to eat over the specimens.
He sighed, "I have enough you can take to the professor when he gets back I'm sure he would appreciate a home cooked meal." He looked at his watch, "I am actually off duty now and while this uniform makes me look authoritative, it's rather itchy, hot and uncomfortable. Let me go home, shower and change into some civvies and meet me there in a half an hour. There are maps on the walls there that show all the attacks and where the large animals have been observed."
"He might at that, thank you," she nodded. Honestly she wasn't certain how she was going to finesse Dr. Jones' into letting her have the evening off, but a gift of food couldn't hurt. "And I'd love to see the maps. The attack sites might prove good places to put the cameras..." Knowing she would need to go check out the public showers, she warned him with a parting wave, starting toward the RV's door, "It might be closer to an hour... I hope that's okay?"
He smiled, "Perfect… everything will be ready when you get there. I look forward to learning more about your project." With that he spun on his heal and walked towards the ranger's cabin up on the hill.
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