Forever

A/N: So my friends on FB told me, in order for me to collect my thoughts and get back into the rhythm of writing again, I should do a quick short story. To get the juices flowing, or so they say. So no flames, please! This is just a quick little scene to get my brain back in working order. Thanks, Tiffany

Isolated deep in the forest of towering redwood trees, he quickly led her through the silent giants, wary of what may be following them. All appeared calm and serene to the untrained eye, but he knew better.

Hate filled eyes watched the man lead the injured woman over, under and around the obstacles in their path to freedom. Little did they know that the freedom they so desperately wanted was no longer an option. It was never an option, from the moment they stepped onto his land. They would always be, HIS.

Ranger tried to negotiate the overgrown path as best he could with a severely injured Stephanie, but it was slowgoing at its best. He had debated carrying her, making their escape all that much quicker, but it was obvious that she wanted no part in that.

"Babe. I can carry you, you know."

"Ranger. You don't have the strength. Besides, I can't go much further." She stopped dead in her tracks, bending in half as coughs wracked her tiny frame. "I... I think I'm done." She dropped to her knees and used the back of her hand to wipe away the spittle from her chin, never noticing that it wasn't spittle but dark blood.

Ranger's eyes widened in near panic. Blood? She must be hurt far more worse than she let on. He took a quick moment to collect himself before, he began to assess her current condition. As he began to press on her abdomen, he knew. It was hard as a rock. Internal bleeding. If he didn't get her out soon, she would die.

"Babe. I can hear the ocean. My SAT phone will work as soon as we get out of the trees. I have to get you to safety. You need to make it for me, Babe. Please?" He was not above begging, if it meant she would live.

"Can't you run ahead and call, then come back for me?" She whispered, as her eyes began to droop. "I think... I think I'll just sit here and wait for you to come back." Stephanie slumped over as the last words fell from her lips.

Ranger hoisted her into his arms into a bridal carry and made a mad dash towards the sound of the ocean. Ten minutes later, he laid her down on the soft salt grass and searched his cargos for his phone. As he pulled it from his pants, a soft gurgling sound came from Stephanie's mouth as a bloody foam escaped her lips. In a panic he rolled her onto her side to allow the blood to escape as he dialed his contact.

"12 clicks from target area, along the beach. I've got a 33 year old female with internal bleeding. Chest rattles and bloody foam from the mouth. Faint pulse and unconscious. What's you ETA?"

"Copy that. ETA in 2. We've got a PJ with the helo crew. ETA in 2."

"Copy that." He flipped the phone off and dropped it onto the salt grass next to Stephanie. "Babe." A lone tear streaked down his face at the sight of the love of his life slowly losing hers. "Don't leave me. Fight, Stephanie. FIGHT!"

"Rang... Ranger?" She whimpered, blindly grasping for his hand. Grabbing ahold, he knelt down to hear her better. "I love you." She smiled weakly, "I have always loved you."

"Babe. I love you. No conditions. No qualifiers. I love you." His lips brushed against hers, ignoring the blood that still seeped out.

"And the baby... " She coughed again, covering him in a fine red mist. "... the baby loves you too." A shiver ran down his spine. A baby? Dear God! She's pregnant?!

"Babe?! We're pregnant?" He asked, a tearful smile upon his face. "Babe? Steph?!" She was now unresponsive and her palor began to grow grey. "Babe don't you leave me! I love you!" He grasped her body in his warm embrace, "Don't leave me." He whispered as the sound of the helicopter began to grow in the background.

The moment the helo skids hit the ground, Stephanie released her last breath. Ranger was beside himself. No. NO! She can't leave me. NO! He motioned the PJ over to assess his Babe, only to get a grim look in return and a small shake of his head.

How could she die? Better yet, how could he live without her? The moment the rescue crew realised that things were headed south, it was already too late. Ranger had already pulled his sidearm, pointed it at his head and pulled the trigger. His body fell alongside the Babe he so dearly loved. Together in life and now together in death.

Forever his Babe.

The lone figure stood watching from the edge of the woods, a small smile upon his face. He was right. He was always right. They were never destined to leave this place. They were always his. With a swish of his hand, he disappeared, leaving nothing but a small spot burned into the ground where he once stood.

A/N: I know it was a dark fic, but I had to start somewhere, right? So what did you think? I'd love to know. R&R please!

Tiff