Chapter 4
Bobby's POV
I was walking by the monitors when I noticed Steph entering Ranger's apartment. Shit, she was doing so well too. I thought for a minute and realized that the next day was Valentine's Day so I guess that's why she thought of him. I mean, I can't imagine Ranger "doing Valentine's Day" but Steph's a girl so this shit probably means something to her.
I checked on her when I realized she didn't stay in the apartment long and there was no sign of tears or anything so I just went to bed. As I lay there, I couldn't help but think about how far she's come. First off, she no longer looks like a zombie. She actually looks good. Really good, beautiful even. Her cream colored skin is clear and healthy, her eyes are bright and focused. The dark circles have completely disappeared. Her hair is full and shiny and looks like it would be silky to the touch. Fuck. I need to partner back up with Lester. Steph is turning me into a full on chick.
Well maybe not completely, I've also noticed her legs are toned and lean and stomach has become taut. Her ass which was always amazing somehow looks even better and she hasn't lost any of the fullness of her breasts. That's better. Fuck thinking about her eyes and hair I can just as easily focus on her body.
For some reason I couldn't sleep; all I could think about is how I didn't want her to be sad tomorrow. I needed to do something nice.
Steph's POV
It was Valentine's Day. I'm usually not a big participant in this holiday, even when I was with Joe it usually just meant wine instead of beer with our pizza and a hockey game on TV. After working out with Bobby I sneaked around the office to place the valentines in the work stations and offices of all the guys.
I then got the call from the edible arrangement guy and set up my fruit flowers in the break room with a sign that read "From your secret admirer. Sorry there is no chocolate (blame Tank)." Somehow I think the guys would figure out it was me.
I got lots of hugs and kisses the rest of the day. I have to admit, it was an awesome self esteem boost to have all these hot guys get all mushy with me over my silly little kid valentines.
"Little girl!" cried Tank with a laugh. "I love my Incredible Hulk card! And I damn well better be the best and the biggest boss you've ever had," he said as he picked me up in a big bear hug and kissed my head.
"I'm so glad you liked it!" I beamed.
"Also, nice fruit display in the break room," he said with a smile.
"How can you think that was me?" I asked with mock surprise.
"Very cute little girl, very cute," Tank laughed as he strolled away.
XXXXXXX
Later when I finished up my gun training I was headed back to my apartment when I saw Les, Vince and Manny all dressed up. I pretended to faint and Vince caught me.
"Damn gentlemen. Whoever is lucky enough to have you guys as valentines are in serious trouble with you all looking and smelling so incredibly good," I said.
"Thanks Beautiful. We may have dates tonight but you are our only valentine" Les said with a grin.
"Plans, Bombshell?"asked Manny.
"After seeing the three of you? A long cold shower. Have a good night guys!" I said as they each individually grabbed me and gave me a quick hug and a kiss.
Damn. Now I smell like them and they smelled really really good. Maybe my shower massager would be getting some use instead.
I opened my apartment door and stopped when I saw a dozen roses sitting in a gorgeous vase on the counter. I picked up the card and I realized that it was signed by all the guys. Each one thanked me for bringing something special to their lives. My heart melted. I truly felt like the luckiest girl in the world at this moment. After showering and getting comfortable I heard a knock at the door.
Bobby's POV
Today was Valentine's Day. When I went down to my office to take inventory of the medical supplies I found a small envelope on my desk. When I opened I realized it was a Superman valentine. It read:
Bobby,
You really are Superman the way you're able to be everything to everyone. I feel honored and privileged to have you in my life. Thanks for being the best man I know.
Love,
Your Partner (No, this is not Lester)
Wow. I felt a little shocked and genuinely touched. The fact that this amazing woman thinks so highly of me, completely blows my mind. Steph and I have gotten really close over the last month or so and the more I get to know the more I like her. She's funny and kind and unbelievably sexy without really trying to be. WHOA. I need to cut that shit it right now.
We're friends, good friends. She is in love with Ranger who is not only my boss but my brother in arms. He might love her. He might not. I mean he acts like he loves her but he says the weirdest shit to her. At least according to her, who says my love comes with a condom not a ring? I knew the dude had commitment issues but he acts like he's in a relationship with her. Even though according to her, they've only slept together a handful of times the most recent being six months ago. That makes the whole acting like you're in a relationship even weirder if he's not sleeping with her. That guy has her head practically spinning.
I gave my own head a shake. Well fuck that. I'm not going to hit on her; I'm going to be a good friend.
I already ordered roses for her from all the guys. I had the guys sign a card for her. Even though they all called me a bitch for doing it, everyone made sure to write something nice to her.
I knocked on her door later that night. She opened it with wet hair in yoga pants and a tank top. She started grinning at me.
"I come baring gifts. Thai food! Curry, kaprow, brown rice and some steamed vegetables," I said holding up the takeout bag.
"No spring rolls or chocolate?" she asked, eyes narrowing.
"No Steph, you know the rules, no junk." I said. Then took my other arm out from behind my back, "But I brought beer!" I said holding a six back.
"Bobby you are the best valentine ever!" she said throwing her arms around me then pulling me into her apartment.
"I also brought a documentary on the black death," I said handing her the DVD.
"Why Mr. Brown, you are truly a romantic," she said with a laugh while pulling out plates.
She suddenly she stopped and paused, as if she was debating something. She turned and walked toward me and put her arms around my neck. I was caught completely off guard. She looked into my eyes and rose up on her toes while pulling me down to meet her, my arms immediately encircled her. She gave me a soft, sweet kiss. I got lost in the feel of her lips and her body pressed up against mine. She broke the kiss then whispered "Thank you for the roses."
Then she broke away and began chattering about the documentary I brought, like absolutely nothing just happened.
What the hell? Damn I just need to breathe and cool off. It was just a friendly kiss. It sure as shit felt a lot more then friendly. I can't be kissing Bomber! She's Ranger's! But is she?
"Bobby?" Steph said.
I looked up and realized Steph had already gotten all the food onto plates, set up the coffee table for us with the food and beer and even loaded the DVD while I just stood there dumbfounded. I may have been blushing when I cleared my throat and sat down.
After we ate and cleaned up we were just we spent time watching the Rangers and I noticed she fell asleep. I scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom and laid her down gently. When I went to straighten she grabbed my arm. "Just stay," she yawned.
I kicked off my shoes and took off my jeans and crawled into her bed.
I don't know why I'm doing this. This is dumb; my apartment is down the hallway. Why am I here? She threw her leg over me and snuggled close pulling my arm around her. Great. Another night trying not to think about her body pressed up against mine while she sleeps like a baby. I must be the greatest friend ever to be doing this. I sighed and somehow fell asleep holding this amazing, beautiful and insane woman in my arms.
XXXXXX
I woke up when I felt Steph dislodge herself from my arms and slowly get out of bed and turn off the alarm. HOLY SHIT. When she got up I noticed that all she was wearing was a tiny fitted t-shirt without a bra and tiny red panties. I quickly just shut my eyes as she grabbed gym clothes and tip toed to the bathroom.
Okay. I need to breathe and get my mind off her ass and those legs and how her lips felt last night. Fuck! I thought about stitching up knife wounds and calmed down. I can't keep sleeping in her bed.
Why was I there? Why did she want me there? Why do I care so much? Shit. I'm becoming a woman. I'm going to ask Les to spar with me later and beat some sense into me. This is Bombshell, Bomber, Gorgeous, Steph aka Ranger's woman. I will no longer sleep in her bed.
Part of me knows and understands she's been in an insane situation the past six weeks. During her training she has barely left the RangMan building we've kept her so busy including nights and weekends. She's just looking for a little bit of human connection and comfort and since she's not able to get it from Ranger she's depending on me, her partner. I will not be a creep and take advantage of her situation. But she's really got to stop walking around in sexy red underwear if I'm going to be able to keep that promise.
I guess this is one of the problems being the "sensitive one" and also a medic. She probably thinks that her body has no effect on me considering I've helped her before with stitches and things. I've seen her in just a bra multiple times when she injured her shoulder chasing a skip a few months ago but its different being in medic mode.
I'm not always in medic mode and I'm a red blooded heterosexual man who may be a medic but is also a testosterone fueled mercenary who spends most of his time in the company of other testosterone fueled mercenaries. Being around a beautiful woman has an effect on me. Being around Bombshell has an effect on all the guys but they're not dumb enough to sleep in her bed.
I pretended to be asleep when she came back in the back in the room. "Bobby!" she cried as she launched her entire body at me. I barely caught her before she completely crushed me favorite body part.
She was grinning at me and started bouncing up and down "We get to go skip tracing today! I'm actually going to go back to bounty hunting!" she kept bouncing. "Now get up!"
"I will if you get off me!" I said laughing. With that she bounced off the bed and left me to get ready.
Steph's POV
The morning dragged on knowing that I was going to the bond's office that afternoon. My mind kept drifting back to sleeping next to Bobby. I'm really not sure what compelled me to ask him to stay. I know I've been lonely since Ranger left and the past few weeks have been amazing in some ways but I've barely left Rangeman in six weeks and even being surrounded by the guys all the time, I still feel isolated and alone.
I'm not sure how appropriate it is to sleep cuddled up next to your partner but I needed it. I just hope Bobby isn't thinking that I'm becoming a needy, annoying bitch who is taking advantage of the face that he's the nicest guy in the world.
I picked Superman for a reason for Bobby's valentine and I wasn't exaggerating when I wrote that he was everything to everyone.
Since being at Rangman, I noticed he was the one that Tank went to most for office or business discussions. He was also the first one behind Lester to pull a prank and make everyone laugh. He was the one who always talked sports with Woody and Cal. He could talk electronics and gadgets with Hector…in Spanish. He knew how to cook and sometimes would help Ella (although I think that's to kiss up because everyone kisses up to Ella because she is the one who makes magic happen around here).
Bobby was also the best shot after the two snipers Ram and Vince and the best at hand to hand combat. It was crazy watching him go from concerned medic to all out bad ass in the gym while he was sparing. Then immediately after sparing where he looked like he was just about to kill the guy he was working with, Bobby would walk over to me and calmly talk about the strikes that he used and how and why he used them. I was constantly in awe of this man and I was lucky enough to call him my friend. Sometimes I wondered what I did to deserve him being so good to me.
We were getting ready to leave for the bonds office when Lester came running up. "Yo, Bobby! Mama just called dinner tomorrow with the family," he said.
"Hell yeah man. I love your mom's place. I'll bring beer!" replied Bobby enthusiastically.
"Beautiful you are clearly coming! You've never been to a Santos family party it's always a good time!" Lester was grinning at me.
"Absolutely! What's the occasion?" I asked returning his grin.
"Ahhhh….we're family? Later dudes have fun with the local scumbags!" Lester said as he ran off.
XXXXXXXX
At the bonds office I leaped out of the car and ran at a full sprint to the door. "Lula! Connie!" I cried. They both jumped up and rushed me. I fell into their arms and let out a sigh.
"Girl we fucking missed you!" cried Lula.
"Tell me you brought doughnuts," asked Connie with a grin. I actually think she was a little misty eyed.
"Ladies, please see my lovely escort," I said as I gestured to Bobby who was walking in grinning with a doughnut box.
"I had to hold it because Stephanie is off sweets for another few weeks," Bobby explained.
Connie and Lula both looked at me. "How you holding up?"asked Lula.
"I'm dying…I'm scared I'm going to bring a giant sexual harassment suit onto RangeMan if Tank won't relax on his rules a little bit. Please Lula!" I begged. Lula and Tank have an off and on relationship which is currently on.
"I'll talk to him but when it comes to his work and his men…Honey, he follows rules," Lula said attempting to stroke my hair to soothe me.
"Alright, go eat the doughnuts, you bitches. Then we have work to do," I said with a shake of my head.
Connie gave us three low end skips and Bobby, Lula and I went to each house. Bobby let me take lead if I could give him a good plan of approach before we went in. We had three successful captures and I didn't even roll in garbage once! And Lula didn't shoot anyone! This is basically a banner day in skip tracing.
Bobby and I dropped Lula off at the bonds office, we waved goodbye as we brought our last skip in. While I was getting my bond receipt I felt an arm wrap around my waist from behind and a voice whispered in my ear, "Looking nice and professional Cupcake".
I yelped and jumped. As I spun around I threw my arms around Joe Morelli in a hug. "Hey Joe! It's so good to see you!" I said. I've been in lockdown or way too long.
"Cupcake, you look great and apparently you're working at RangeMan full time now?" he asked.
"I am! I love it and I'm getting all the training I need. You will notice that I have not rolled in trash today," I said doing a slow model turn so he could look at my unstained clothes.
Joe grinned at me. "That's amazing Steph! I'm proud of you. When we were together I didn't want you to be in this line of work and then we broke up so you could pursue it and I'm just glad you're finally taking it seriously. How's Manoso?" he asked.
"Ah. He's in the wind actually, won't be back for awhile," I said shifting uncomfortably.
"Did you tell him how you felt before he left?" Joe asked as he raised an eyebrow.
"I did. It didn't go exactly as planned," I said slowly. Understatement of year says what?
"Cupcake, I care about you and I'm going to speak my piece and then you can do whatever you want and I won't judge," Joe said as he grabbed my shoulders and looked me dead in the eye.
"We spent almost two years trying to 'make us work' because we loved each other even though we both know that what we wanted out of life wasn't compatible. I just don't want to see you repeating the same mistakes that we've already supposedly learned from," he said.
His words hit me in the stomach. He was right. He was completely right. This sucks.
I let out a sigh and Joe gave me a sympathetic smile.
"Thanks Joe," I said really meaning it. He gathered me in his arms and gave me a strong hug.
"Love ya, Cupcake. Take care of yourself and think about what I said," Joe said. He planted a kiss on my forehead and headed back toward his office.
I don't think I could've asked for a better ex or a better friend. He really is awesome.
I returned to Bobby who was standing still after watching the entire interaction between Joe and me.
"You wanna talk about it?" Bobby asked.
"I'm good," I replied with a smile. At least I think I am?
