Breaking Out

Chapter 3: Them's the Breaks

These are JE's characters. I'm just letting them out for a play on a different playing field. Not making any money and the mistakes are all mine.

FYI: Reports are done and the feeling is so good. Still have to go through the editing process with a report buddy while I edit theirs in return. Then I can upload the grades and the comments. Yippee!

See, there's light at the end of the tunnel and it's no longer a train. Happy thoughts. …sigh….

The same could be said for Stephanie.

Cal's POV

Concussion, a broken collar bone, whiplash, bruised ribs, and cuts and abrasions to her face. It could have been so much worse. There's a distinct laceration to her cheek that needed stitches and she's gonna have two whopper shiners from hitting the steering wheel. Fortunately her nose is not broken, just swollen at the bridge. She needed stitches and that special glue they use for the head wounds. She looked pale and tired. Fortunately, the break did not require surgery.

There'd been so much blood that her hair was covered in it from the various cuts and abrasions and a head wound or two. It had now been cleaned up around the stitches. Heads bleed a lot, we know that. Her head has a large bandage like a white bandanna and her arm of course was in a sling for her collarbone. She's a tough girl, our Stephanie. She didn't complain once.

Sitting in the waiting room gave me the opportunity for some reflection. Seeing her in tears after that fucker laid into her with those harsh words nearly broke me. Ram was momentarily turned away with the paramedic when Morelli grabbed Steph and shook her. I'm sure if looks could kill Ram would have sent him flying but his reflex action was to protect by catching Steph before her head hit the ground. How we remained so calm was close to a miracle. Going into defensive mode automatically engaged our protective bearing marking a boundary to protect Stephanie from danger. That the stupid asshat still tried to grab her, proved once again what a dumbass he was.

We all wanted a piece of him like a huge chunk of real man time. The timing, of course, was not right, too easy to point the blame if Morelli happened to lose an arm or even vanish off the face of the earth. Considering that, I am certain that the guys at the TPD will deal out some retribution after witnessing the expressions on Carl and Eddie's face at the scene. They were more than ropable and they were none too gentle with that fucker Morelli.

At the briefing Vince was watching Hector opposite him in the conference room when we informed the guys about Stephanie's condition and status. He was quick to inform me since he knew Hector well. Hector almost had to be restrained. He was all about slicing and carving, and Morelli was his target du jour. I don't recall him being so emotional when he was riled, but he was fit to kill. We all know of what he is capable but he is usually calm and calculated, not with that emotional shit. We all felt it though. This woman, in her own humble way, gave us heart and feelings.

Getting word to Ranger was paramount and Hector would be the man to get through to him. He conceded, somewhat reluctantly, that was a better plan and made it his mission in support of Steph. This was said with a conditional concession: if Morelli hurt her again, in any way, Hector would avenge his Estefania and he would be like smoke. Best not to go there for the time being.

After her initial overnight stay in the ER, she was transferred into a regular room once her condition stabilised, to spend the next couple of days having tests, resting and recovering. Testing included bloods, x-rays, scans, ultrasounds, a CT scan and an MRI and the usual observations. Bearing in mind how much Steph hated hospitals, she was calmer than I expected and this made me concerned. Ram and Hal noticed it as well.

I was listening to an update on her status from the doctor, since I held power of attorney and authority by position in lieu of Ranger and the Core team being on a mission. He was just saying how thin she was, not grossly underweight, but enough to express his concern, probably dehydrated as well. How did we miss that? I was stunned. We had let her down.

Upon my return to Rangeman, I called Ella immediately.

"Sweaters," Ella had simply remarked. "And she's missing Ranger. Let me make something for her, a daily care package and she'll be back to her usual self in more ways than one."

"How do you know?"

"Let's call it women's intuition," she winked and smiled while tapping her temple. I never doubted her wisdom. I still felt guilty. A sudden thump to my shoulder snapped me out of my introspection. Ram.

"Man, we all feel it. Don't beat yourself up. We'll make a difference. It has been all kinds of crazy here without the Core team. Thankfully the contract workers have given us a break. We have to look after our girl. We can do better." Sage words from Ram to which everyone nodded. I could see the looks of regret mirrored on their faces.

"Man, I feel like a jerk, like I let my little sister down. We can make it up to her." Hal affirmed and there was a chorus of quiet "Hoo-has," around the conference table.

Half an hour later Ella approached me with a very satisfied smile.

"This will be a good start. Everyday whoever is on the morning visit will take a care package to Stephanie. There will also be an evening package."

She showed me the contents. There were various toiletries and clothing and the infamous cookie tin which we all coveted. Under a black Rangeman t-shirt was some Bulgari gel. I was confused.

She smiled at me sweetly and patted my forearm in a motherly way.

"Most powerful magic for her recovery, Cal." Still confused at how a Rangeman t-shirt could even do anything for Steph let alone be "powerful magic", she quickly elaborated before I could verbalise my puzzled thoughts.

"Ranger's t-shirt. Ranger's shower gel. I washed the t-shirt in his Bulgari so it will warm her heart. Guaranteed, she will want to wear it immediately. Here's a little box of tissues because these two items will make her cry."

Ah, enlightenment. That a simple t-shirt can do all that is "powerful magic".

"You know, Ella. I think this first package would be most effective coming personally from you. I think she would benefit from a womanly visit with only the guys there all the time. A feminine touch would also work "powerful magic".

"Ah, Cal. How very intuitive of you. Yes. That is a good idea. Has her family been to visit her yet?"

"Nope. They were informed when she was admitted and I updated them again when she was transferred this afternoon. They haven't been there yet. I am surprised."

"Probably just as well. Strange family, you know. So caring ... Not! In fact, I'll go right now. Just let me get a few more things. In that case, can you please arrange to have these bags taken down to the garage? Perhaps I should go past her apartment and grab some of her own things to add to the personal items every woman needs but I can do that on the return journey. Then the morning shift can bring those."

"With a hearty breakfast, no doubt. No probs. I'll go one better. Ram can drive you there and be the muscle to carry them in for you. He's on the door next rotation. I'm sure he won't mind."

She smiled and quickly went to the elevator. Within ten minutes she was back with another bag and a box, an Ella food box.

She grinned at my recognition.

"Yes, Cal. A meals box. Our girl needs some real food, nourishing food and hospital food is not on the menu for Stephanie. I have a hearty soup and a small casserole as well as dessert and perhaps a few hidden snacks."

We all loved Ella's care packages especially the meals box. There was always something to share with one or two of the visitors.

"Is that a tin of your yummy CCCs?" I asked hopefully. We all loved Ella's homemade chocolate chip cookies. She just raised her eyebrow and shrugged her shoulder with a cheeky grin. Yup. 'Course I knew.

Ella's POV

Ram happily carried my care packages. Manny greeted us at the door saying she'd been resting after her MRI. Not the most pleasant experience for sure with all that loud resonant noise.

I walked into her room quietly and looked her over as she lay there peacefully asleep. She was pale and yes, she was rather thin but not totally undernourished. I directed Ram to set the boxes down on the sideboard. Looking at her head bandage I could still see some of the dried blood. When allowed, I was going to wash her hair and make her feel pampered and loved. Poor child. I sighed at the bruises on her face and the one visible arm. They had propped her other arm with the sling over a pillow and her bed was elevated.

I waited by her side when I saw her eyes flutter open widening with recognition.

"Oh, hello Ella." She smiled. Her voice was dry and raspy. I held a glass of water out to her so she could sip from the bendy-straw.

"Hello Stephanie. I have some things for you."

She eyed the box as if it was a present. Already some colour was returning to her face. Thankfully it was her left side that was damaged. It makes simple daily routines really less awkward. As predicted, she cried at the sight of the Rangeman t-shirt and the Bulgari shower gel. Pulling the curtains around her bed for privacy, she immediately donned the t-shirt happily breathing in the scent. More bruises were evident on her left side. Poor child.

"How did you know?" she rasped between sobs.

"You miss him, don't you?" She nodded as big fat tears rolled down her cheeks.

After she had eaten some of her food, I put the toiletries in her bathroom. She was very pleased with the selection I had already chosen. She also donned the black yoga pants and felt more comfortable than in that gown. If most of her visitors were Rangemen, then she would certainly feel more comfortable in this outfit. Each time she breathed in the Bulgari scent she smiled.

"I can tell you that Ranger is stateside, Stephanie." She smiled and looked instantly relieved. We chatted about all sorts of things. She didn't really want to discuss her injuries too much. She ate the soup and some of the chicken casserole. She moaned through the dessert and had to have some of the cookies. She grinned at me and sighed, her eyes glistening. I understood. My eyes too were glistening and we giggled as we dabbed our tears. She was like the daughter I never had. It was a mutual feeling.

I had done my best to brush her hair and put it into a braid for easier management. Hopefully I can wash it on my next visit, or perhaps give it a sponge bath to get rid of the residual dry blood. I stayed for about an hour then bid her farewell with a gentle heartfelt hug after explaining about the care packages to come. She was so appreciative.

Cal's POV

Visits were frequent and deliberately regulated in small parties or pairs from Rangeman, with someone always on the door just to be on the safe side. What with the gossips and the 'Burg', as she called it, we half expected some interference from gawkers, the press who always wanted a Stephanie scoop and, of course, her family. We already had an idea that her mother was a piece of work, but only by rumour … or was that reputation? Seeing is believing, I guess.

Sure enough, her family finally came barging in to the waiting room. Better late than never. Such a performance as she had been so distressed that it took her almost three days to visit her own child. Yeah, real caring. However, I did not expect what followed.

…..

TBC

So what did Helen have to say?

What is Ranger doing stateside?