Title: Saying Goodbye

Author: Robin

Disclaimer: They belong to JE. If Ranger were mine, you would never hear from me again. I'd be too busy. ;)

A/N: Babe fic. It's a bit angsty. Let me know if you think it's worth continuing. Considered us spoiled through Plum Lovin'.

Rating: PG… for now

Chapter 1

A rustle in the darkness woke me, and I rolled over to check the time. The clock was obscured by the form of a man. My heart jumped to my throat and a strangled scream was ripped from me before I recognized him.

It was Ranger. He was sitting on the bed on top of the covers, propped up against the headboard, staring at me. "I didn't mean to wake you. I just wanted to see you before I left."

I pressed a shaking hand to my heart and tried to calm my breathing, still a little dazed. "No, it's okay," I said as I raised myself up to sit. "What time is it?"

"You should go back to sleep, Babe. It's a little after two." He reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I could only imagine the state of my hair. I'd gone to bed with my hair wet and it was bound to be standing on end. I self-consciously smoothed my palms over my head, grimacing. If my hair looked like it felt, I'd make a good Don King.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

For the longest time, Ranger didn't answer. Hmm, must be classified.

"Miami," he said finally. See? That wasn't so hard, mystery man. But, I knew he went to Miami pretty often and he didn't feel the need to seek me out before each trip. Something was up.

"You're coming back right?" I asked, trying to keep my tone teasing and light, but he actually had me little worried.

There was another long pause before he answered, "I'll be gone about a week. I'm heading to the airport in a few hours." Ranger's voice was flat and lifeless and all wrong. He wasn't a demonstrative guy, but this dead tone was unlike him.

I leaned across him to turn on the lamp, brushing across his body with mine, almost entirely unintentionally. We had only been alone together, in private, on a few occasions since Scrog. He was too much temptation and the urge to throw my scruples out the window was strong. For him, I think he was keeping his distance because I kept slamming on the brakes every time I got his engine revving. Still, Ranger would usually take advantage of this kind of contact. Tonight his hands remained at his sides on the bed, his body still.

With the light on, I could see that his skin was pale and there were dark smudges under his eyes. "What's wrong, Ranger?" I asked, kneeling next to him on the bed. When he wouldn't raise his eyes to meet mine, I started to worry. Panic tightened my voice, "Is it Julie?"

He looked at me then, and I saw pain there, but I breathed a sigh of relief when he shook his head. "What is it?" I urged, grabbing his hand.

His eyes remained on mine, but his stare was unseeing. "My father… had a heart attack. He's gone." The words were hollow. Disbelieving.

Tears sprang to my eyes. "Oh, Ranger, I'm so sorry," I breathed. The words were completely inadequate. I wrapped my arms around him, awkwardly, considering our positions on the bed. I wanted to do something, anything, to comfort him, but he remained stiff my arms. After holding him like that for long moments, he relaxed with a shaky sigh. He moved to wrap his arms around me, holding me tightly, his head resting on my chest. Shudders wracked his body and his arms squeezed me convulsively.

I smoothed my hand over his hair, silently holding him. Ranger had always amazed me… he was so strong, so controlled. Even at the height of the situation with Scrog and Julie, he'd remained composed. Maybe a little tired, but never out of control. He had walked in to face Scrog, knowing full well that he probably wouldn't walk out again and never betrayed fear, sorrow, regret with even a twitch of muscle.

Tonight, I got a rare glimpse at the man beneath the superhero, something I'd really only seen during our one night of intimacy. But, even now, in my arms, he didn't entirely let go of his famous control. The only tears falling were from my eyes. How exhausting it must be to keep all your emotion inside.

When his breathing had eased and his grip gentled, he said, "I'm sorry, Babe. I shouldn't have come–"

"Of course you should have come," I interrupted, still cradling him close to me. "I'm glad you did. It's okay to need a friend. It's okay to be vulnerable sometimes, Ranger. You don't always have to be so strong. Not with me."

He seemed to let that sink in silently, the only sound our breathing and an occasional sniffle from me. And the periodic squeak from the kitchen. Rex. Running his road to nowhere.

At length, Ranger whispered, "I'm not good at needing others and vulnerable people don't live long in this business."

True, but at least they live. I kept this thought to myself, and whispered back, "I know."

I reached over to the lamp and turned it out once again and settled back down on the bed, pulling Ranger down with me. We were lying on our sides, facing each other, wrapped in each other's arms. I pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"Rest for a little while, we'll get you up in time."

)()()()()­-()()()()(

In a blink, the alarm sounded, and I lifted my head to see that I was practically sprawled on top of Ranger, drooling on his shoulder. I reached over to silence the alarm. Ranger watched me with unfathomable eyes, hands resting warm and heavy on the curve of my bottom. I felt a flare of attraction combating the wave of embarrassment at the drool. "Sorry," I breathed, but didn't move.

"I don't mind, Babe. I like you there." His voice was soft, naturally seductive.

"Too bad you have to get up," I said, sliding out of his arms and out of bed, pulling the covers off of him when he made no move to get up.

He stood, smoothing his sleep-rumpled clothes, retucking his shirt. "Thank you," he said, as he walked to me, wrapping his arms around me. He spoke into my hair, "I needed this… needed the sleep. This will be a rough trip."

I leaned against him, my arms drawing him closer. "I don't mind, you know," I said, lips moving against his chest. "Do you want me to come with you?" I wasn't sure why I said it. The words were out of my mouth before I could even register their meaning. I tensed in his arms, afraid I'd crossed that invisible intimacy line that we were so careful of.

I felt Ranger shake his head after a long pause. "I couldn't ask you to do that, Babe."

"You're not asking, I'm offering," I replied, leaning back in his arms to look at him. "But, I wouldn't want to intrude."

His expression was shuttered, "That's not it, I'm just not going to be very good company."

I smiled gently, "Well, I'd miss your sparkling conversation, but that's not why I'd like to go. This goes back to the whole needing people thing."

He nodded.

"Why did you come here last night?" I asked softly, like I would speak to a wounded animal.

He rested his forehead against mine and sighed. "Being near you soothes me," he said.

"Then I'm coming with you."