I don't own anything from JE or the Band Styx or the song BABE
"GET HER" Tank barked as Stephanie ran down Haywood chasing after Rangers car, blinded by tears. Hal took off flying to catch her before she hurt herself.
An hour ago Ranger had told her he was leaving and might not come back. She watched as he handed RangeMan over to Tank. Everything inside her told her to tell him how much she loved him but that's just not how they did things. Feeling like she was losing her best friend she continued on working.
Thirty minutes later Ranger stepped off the elevator on the Garage level to see all his men and Stephanie standing there to see him off. He went over to Tank and shook his hand.
"Take care of her" he said and Tank gave a curt nod indicating he would
Turning and walking to Stephanie he stopped and rubbed her cheek with his hand.
"Babe"
Before leaving he handed Tank and envelope and gave some last minute instructions on what to do with it. Tank nodded and Ranger eased himself into an SUV driven by Brett. When they drove down Haywood Steph took off Chasing the black car wanting to tell Ranger everything inside her heart. Brett looking back asked Ranger is he should stop. Looking in the rearview mirror he saw Hal place an arm around her waist and with no effort at all stop her from proceeding any further. Sitting back into his passenger side seat he spoke.
"Drive"
Three days later Steph recalled that sad day in her mind as she looked over an envelope she had received in the mail. It had the RangeMan logo in the upper left hand corner. Looking at it more closely she noticed it was the usual typed out address this one was handwritten.
Miss. Stephanie Plum was neatly written in cursive. Sliding her finger nail under the flap she extracted a beautiful handwritten letter.
Babe I'm leaving', I must be on my way, and the time is drawing near. My train is going ,I see it in your eyes
The love, the need, your tears .But I'll be lonely without you ,And I'll need your love to see me through.
So please believe me, my heart is in your hands, and I'll be missing you.
'Cause you know it's you babe .Whenever I get weary, and I've had enough. Feel like giving up .You know it's you ' me the courage, And the strength I need .Please believe that it's true, Babe, I love you.
Babe, I'm leaving' .I'll say it once again, And somehow try to smile .I know the feeling we're trying to forget
If only for a while.'Cause I'll be lonely without you, And I'll need your love to see me through .Please believe me .My heart is in your hands,'Cause I'll be missing you .Babe, I love , I love you.
-Carlos
As Stephanie read the last lines of the paper tears streamed down her cheeks. Holding the letter to her chest she closed her eyes and let his words envelope her, drawing strength and comfort from them. He knew and he had known all along. Smiling Steph fell into a deep sleep clutching the letter to her.
The END