Disclaimer: Janet owns the characters. I am only borrowing them for awhile.

The Visit

Ranger was dressed in his usual black t shirt, cargos and combat boots. His t-shirt was tightly stretched over his muscular chest. His hair was long and neatly tied back in a pony-tail with a leather strap.

Stephanie couldn't believe he had finally come. Almost unconsciously she licked her lips. OMG, he was so hot. She could almost see the guards fanning themselves as he walked by. Slowly she walked over to the table screwed to the wall, sat down on the hard, plastic chair and picked up the phone.

Ranger also sat down. His gaze never left Stephanie's face. His face was a myriad of expressions, happiness to see her, angry at her imprisonment, and sadness that he would not be able to hold her in his arms. Finally he picked up his phone. Softly, he spoke. "Babe, I would have come to see you sooner, but I recently got back and this was the first appointment I could get."

Stephanie was having trouble holding her emotions in check. All her fears, the crushing loneliness at the isolation she was enduring, and pain from missing him were bubbling to the surface and threatening to erupt in a rush of tears.

Trying to speak without crying she whispered into the phone. "I miss you so much. Every night I think of you before I fall asleep. I dream of being held in your arms, and laying my head on your chest. I think of you holding me and feeling comforted by your heartbeat in my ear. I love how you kiss me on each eyelid as I bawl after one of my disasters. I love how you hold me with my back to your chest. I miss you calling me Babe. I feel so safe when I am with you. I miss your kisses behind my ear. I lay at night thinking of you and hoping you are safe. I miss you so very, very much," she repeated again, almost like a broken record.

Ranger swallowed. It was going to be very hard for him to leave her here when their visit ended. He could see the fading bruises and welts. He knew that she was probably having a rough time and was being selectively targeted for cheap shots. Why was she in general population? With her job, they must have known she would be targeted. He would ask that question when he left.

Taking a deep breath, he spoke, looking her in the eyes. "Babe, I love you with all my heart. No conditions anymore. I want to spend the rest of my life with you if you will have me. We will get through this together. Not a minute goes by since I got back that I am not thinking of you. I love how you really look at me, not as some badass mercenary, but as a man. I love how you understand me and the work and the life that I have chosen to embrace. I love how you are willing to drop everything to help me without question. I love how your eyes light up as I walk into a room. I love how you splay your hands on my chest as you reach up to kiss me. I love how you run your fingers through my hair. I love how you always ask if I am OK after a take down or a problem at an account. I love how you worry that I will be mad if one of my cars gets destroyed. I love to see you wear my t-shirt with my name over your breast."

Trying to lighten the conversation, Ranger mumbled almost to himself. " I miss seeing you around Rangeman working in your cubicle, trying to hide all your contraband from me in your top right hand drawer, behind your files. I miss hearing you working, humming as your ipod plays in your ears. I especially miss how many excuses you have offered to get out of your required range and gym times each week. Did you know that the men have a running list? I hear it is quite extensive. And we will not even go there on how many times you have convinced Bobby to look after you when you get hurt so you don't have to go to the hospital."

Stephanie giggled in spite of herself. It was good that he was aware of his surroundings.

Changing the subject, she asked how the Merry Men were. Had he been successful on his mission and had he sustained any injuries? Shaking his head in amazement at her capacity to think of others rather than herself, he told her everyone was fine and said to say hi.

As usual he could not talk about being in the wind, as she liked to call it. He did mention though, that someday he wanted to take her ATV'ing. It was a lot of fun, and the scenery he saw was breathtaking. He promised to himself that they would see it together. He wanted to drive a quad with her behind him, holding onto him as they travelled the bumpy trails.

Just the thought of her sitting behind him, holding onto his cargos, leaning against him, her knees gripping his thighs made him squirm in discomfort. He would take her to the top of Sheefoot Mountain. They would get off and stand at the top overlooking the valley. He wondered if there had ever been a marriage ceremony performed there.

The guard opened Ranger's door and spoke to him. He nodded and turned back to speak to Stephanie again. "I'm sorry, Babe. Our time is almost up. I need you to believe that we are doing everything we can to get you free. I cannot tell you much right now, but some things have come up that have made it possible for us to feel confident that we are going to get you out of here soon. Please promise me that you will be very careful. "

Stephanie nodded slowly. Damn, she hated it when he used that word, please. She looked him in the eye. "I have a good network of people helping to keep me safe. I do not go anywhere alone if I can help it. Prison is full of rumors and my group of friends have heard some chatter, but up to now, nobody has been targeted and the way I look at it, rumors are just that. I cannot live in total fear each day, Ranger. I have to be able to move around too. I am being as careful as I can under the circumstances. "

Ranger looked at her. He held the receiver with both hands and whispered. "I cannot wait to have you in my arms Babe. I love you and want to protect you for the rest of my life. You are mine, Babe. If anything happens to you, my life is essentially over too. I cannot live without you."

Stephanie was openly crying now, and between sobs she whispered, " I love you, Carlos. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, if you will have me."

Silence followed. They both took comfort in just looking in each others' eyes conveying their love. No words needed to be spoken. In that one breathtaking moment, each knew that their lives would always be entwined. All they had to do was be able to hold each other once again. They planned to never let go.

All too soon, the prisoners' door opened and Stephanie had to leave. With a heavy heart, Stephanie said to Ranger, "Don't get shot," to which Ranger replied, "Don't get crazy." Hanging up the phone after her goodbye, she slowly rose to her feet, blew him a kiss and made for the doorway and a return to her imprisonment once again.

The door closed and Stephanie was gone. Ranger remained seated for a minute longer. He vowed that he would get to the bottom of this and hoped to have her safe in his arms very soon. With a powerful shove against the table, he stood up, marched to the door and walked out.

Thanks for all the reviews. I have had some awesome reviews. Updating soon.