Just the Way Chapter 4
AN: Same disclaimers as before. Still claim Tar. Many thanks again to Dee, she really came through for me with this one.
Ranger chuckled as the elevator doors closed. He glanced at the security camera and pulled out his cell. Before he could hit the speed dial, it rang.
"Yo."
"I thought women never turned you down."
Ranger glared back up at the camera.
"Santos!"
"Relax. I already deleted the whole thing, wouldn't want your rep to suffer. Tar sure enjoyed the show, said he didn't recall you having a playful side."
Ranger's jaw clenched. The elevator opened once again at the gym. Ranger prided himself on making good decisions. As he stalked over to the gym entrance, he wondered if hiring the kid had been one.
"Santos, it seems I am in quite a playful mood. And without a sparring partner…" Ranger slammed open the gym doors.
"Already covered, Boss. Look up ahead of you. Be careful, he's got a real nasty left hook."
Ranger looked over at the mats, Tar was on the far side stretching. Santos must have sent the kid down here before he called.
"So do I. Or don't you remember?" He ended the call.
Ranger placed his keys and phone onto a bench. The feel of the towel in his hand made him think of Stephanie in the elevator. He thought about her choice of words, "I have plans." Something about the way she said it had him curious. Tossing the towel onto the bench, he pushed all thoughts of her aside for now.
As he removed his trainers, he gave Tar another glance. The kid was definitely bigger than the last time they saw each other. Tar had only been a Seal for a few years before an injury resulted in his honorable discharge. Ranger had read the medical reports; the rehab had to have been grueling.
He stepped onto the mats and began swinging his arms and rolling his neck. While stretching his hamstrings, he caught Tar smirking at him. Ranger knew the kid was taunting him. He turned and narrowed his eyes. He glared at Tar and then made his face expressionless. A brief look of panic flashed across Tar's face before he managed to put on his own blank look.
Cal and Hal were at the opposite end of the gym, working on the weights. Ranger knew they were out of earshot, but he wanted to be discreet.
As they began to circle each other on the mats, he began speaking in Spanish.
"I feel the need to remind you to choose your words wisely now that you are my employee. I do not tolerate mistakes. Especially from Seals who wash out and have to be nursed back to health."
Tar's eyes flashed in anger, but he didn't flinch. He continued circling, appearing to wait for Ranger to make the first move. Seems the kid had some control.
Ranger quickly shuffled in and made a few jabs that Tar easily blocked. As he glided back out of range, he felt his pulse quicken and knew that an adrenaline rush would soon kick in. This is exactly what he needed to get out the stress from being cooped into his office all morning.
Deciding not to give Tar an opening, Ranger moved right back in. He threw a left jab at the head, and then scored an immediate right cross to the chest. Since Tar was able to block the jab, Ranger faked the left cross to the face, and instead finished with a roundhouse kick to the chest.
Tar grunted but recovered quickly. Ranger stayed closer this time, he wanted to see what the kid would do. Tar threw a right jab, a left cross and attempted a roundhouse kick. Ranger's reactions were fluid. He heard the whoosh near his ear as he ducked the jab. Then, the snap of impact, as he blocked the cross. He shifted as he grabbed Tar's leg and flipped him to the mat. Ranger kept his breathing even as he stayed just out of range. He knew the kid could do better.
"Did you spend all that rehab flat on your back too, or did you at least fight the discharge?" Tar muttered a curse and sprang back up
They were both circling again. Ranger noticed a little more tension in Tar's stance. Control was good, but he wondered if the kid was holding back. It was best not to get angry, but if you did, channeling it was the most effective use for it. Ranger weaved his way closer, intending to wait the kid out again. Tar floated in closer trying to draw an attack.
"The nurses must have been good therapy. Hopefully you were at least getting laid while the rest of your unit was shipping back out. Find a pretty blonde to give you some head?"
Tar glared at Ranger for a few seconds and then smirked. "Actually…" He snarled as he charged in, "I prefer curly haired brunettes."
Tar faked a jab and then scored with his left hook just clipping Ranger on his lower jaw. Ranger tasted blood just as a sharp kick to the chest pushed him back. Expecting the roundhouse, he dropped to the mat in a crouch and felt the rush of air as Tar's leg whipped above him. He sprang up hitting Tar with an uppercut and his own left hook. As Tar's head snapped back, Ranger continued with a roundhouse to the solar plexus that knocked him to the mat.
Ranger thought he heard a groan as Tar rolled into a crouch. He shadow boxed in place until Tar straightened up and faced him.
Tar darted forward with a double jab, a left cross to the chest, and a backfist to the head. As Ranger blocked the fist, he felt the hit to his leg as Tar attempted to take him down. He turned with the momentum and quickly spun them around. Landing on top of Tar's chest, Ranger's weight knocked the air right out of Tar's lungs. Ranger shifted his upper body as the kid struggled against the hold. Tar stopped struggling as he attempted to catch his breath. Ranger remained motionless for a few minutes then leaned in and growled into the kid's ear.
"Tank, Santos and Brown are my core team; I trust them with what's most important to me. Do not assume that our past automatically puts you at their level. You agreed to my terms when you signed on here. I expect you to be at your best at all times. You will limit your comments to official business and even then, you will consider carefully before you contribute."
Ranger released his hold and stood up. Tar sat up. He panted as he wiped his arm across his face. "I do want to be here, and I know what I agreed to." He paused as he cleared his throat.
"It's just that, hanging with Les…it's nice to feel like part of a…unit…again." He glanced down and then back at Ranger. He stood up and spoke very quietly. "I've missed you guys. I've always looked up to you. Viewing you as my CO isn't a difficult transition. Seeing you only that way is taking some adjustment."
Ranger clapped him on the shoulder. He then walked over to the bench, grabbed the towel and began mopping the sweat from his face. Tar followed him, and sat down to lace up his boots. "Are you ever gonna let up on me for not going Army?" Hal and Cal headed for the exit, and Ranger nodded at them as they passed.
He then turned towards Tar and smiled slightly. "I needed to get a read on your emotional control. Think of it as your one month eval. Though Lester will still run you through the other requirements." Ranger sat and laced up his trainers. "Nice left hook, by the way."
Tar lightly rubbed his jaw. "Almost as good as yours, or so I'm told." He gave Ranger a sidelong glance. "So, it seems you no longer prefer blondes."
Ranger glared at him. "Drop it."
Tar looked down and sighed. Quietly, he muttered. "It's just us here."
Ranger thought about all the kid had gone through recently, and forced himself to ease up. "Tarrean, in about another week you'll shed your rookie status and the guys will start inviting you out with them." Ranger grimaced. "I'm a real hardass to work for." He paused. "No one will think twice about you and Lester becoming fast friends. However, I am your boss now, and this is just the way it has to be."
Tar nodded. They both stood and headed towards the exit.
"Get yourself cleaned up. Report back to Santos at 13:30. Then tell him to report to my office, and wait for me if I'm not there."
"You got it…Boss."
Ranger walked to the elevator and Tar headed for the stairs.