Thank you for all of your wonderful support, even after my little break. Now let us not waste time and get straight to the good stuff.

"Fight for it"

Chapter 6

Pov- Stephanie

Over soup, warm bread, and wine I told Ranger all about the reign of the Dick, and his little Prick. At first, it was sort of depressing. Then I had my second cup of wine and the story started to sound better. Less like I was the loser who got cheated on and more like I was the vengeful bitch from hell who tore her scumbag husband apart. Ranger was grinning and laughing as I told him all about our loud, disastrous, divorce.

"What did you with the table?" Ranger asked.

He was leaning back in his chair, longs legs stretched out under the table. Every now and then our feet would touch and I'd grin like a fourth grader playing footsie. He was wearing the two little studs that turned me on so much and every now and then, they would catch the light and sparkle against his beautifully tanned skin.

"Best damned bon-fire you've ever seen." I said with a smirk. "I wish I would have through to roast marshmallows over it."

He laughed. "Very therapeutic."

"Yeah, it helped a lot."

"And you haven't let yourself get close to anyone since?" He guessed. "You don't want to take the risk of getting hurt again."

He nailed me right on the head. Was I really that easy to read? "I left town after the legal papers were signed. Once I was with Amber and Brandon I didn't have time for anyone, not that I would have anyway."

I swirled the wine in my cup, thinking I should probably slow down. I'd always been a light weight when it came to alcohol and I hadn't had any in almost a year. "So what about you?" I asked, trying to get the topic away from me. "Let me guess, she couldn't handle the long trips overseas that are part of your military contact?"

He shook his head. "No, I meet Rachel on leave three years ago, out on the east coast. She lives in Miami."

I raised an eyebrow when he hesitated. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." I said, giving him an out.

"Thought you wanted honesty, in this odd little relationship."

I nodded. "Honesty is different than me demanding you spill all of your secret to me." I sipped at my wine. "I want us to be honest and open about what we like in the bedroom and what sort of commitment lies between us for as long as we're sleeping together. Anything outside of that is none of my business unless you want to tell me. I'm not your girlfriend or your mother."

"Rachel was working as a waitress when I saw her for the first time." He continued. "I waited until her shift was over to speak with her. It was just supposed to be a one night stand."

Something was telling me this story was about to get a lot more interesting and a lot more personal. "But," I prompted.

"Rachel came to the base I was staying at and contacted me a few weeks later." He toasted his glass in my direction and downed the last bit of wine in it. "She was pregnant. I was the father."

"Boy or girl?"

"Girl," He said softly. "Her name is Julie." He looked at his glass like he was trying to talk himself into another one, then pushed it away all together. "I married Rachel out of obligation to our daughter. I was overseas when she gave birth. I pay child support, but Rachel and I were never in love, divorce was imminent."

"Do you see her often?" I asked. "Your daughter?" I never would have pictured Ranger as a father and I was deeply moved that he felt comfortable enough to tell me about her. I got the feeling that this wasn't well known information, even among his friends.

He shook his head slightly and there was a subtle sadness to him I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't been paying so much attention to him the last few days. "No, I have only seen her twice since her birth. Rachel sends me photos sometimes. She looks a lot like me."

We cleared our dishes and worked together washing them in the sink. The solemn mood that had settled over diner was lifted as we flicked bits of soap at each other, both of us pretending that we weren't broken.

"And now," Ranger said as he set the last dish aside and pinned me against the counter again. "We outline the do's and don'ts of this arrangement so I can finally get you naked."

He smelled amazing and having him pressed against me quickly turned my train of thought to mush. I put my hands on his abs, lick my lips as they twitched under my fingers, and pushed him back a step. "Ok, but until we finish talking you can't touch me. I can't think when you're this close to me."

"Good to know."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "Right and you're not affected by me at all." I teased.

"You drive me crazy," He said easily, taking my hand and letting me feel the hard length of him, hidden under his clothes. "I'm just better at controlling myself."

He poured two more glasses of wine and I took one against my better judgment. I was making all kinds of mistakes tonight, might as well go all the way. We sat down in the living room, both of us on the sofa, but turned so we were facing each other rather than touching.

"What do I need to know about Stephanie in the bedroom?" Ranger asked.

I blushed.

"Babe, if this is going to work, you need to be comfortable talking to me. I won't judge you."

"No butt stuff." I blurted out, quickly turning my attention to my wine while I blushed.

Ranger leered at me. "That's a shame. I bet I could teach you a few things you'd like back there. You've got an amazing ass, Babe."

"You could probably teach me a lot of things anyways." I admitted. "I've only been with a few different guys over the years and it's always been pretty basic stuff."

"Ok," He nodded. "No butt stuff and I'll move slowly before I pull out the whips and chains. I wouldn't want to overwhelm you. Deal?"

I got a rush of heat straight to my core at the idea of being chain up and helpless to a dominating Ranger. "I think I'd be ok with trying hand-cuffs." I admitted, trying not to sound shy.

"Good to know your open to suggestions."

"Don't get too crazy on me ok." I was already panting at the thought of just having him naked. I didn't need to go into cardiac arrest.

He smiled. "We will only move as fast as you're comfortable. Now, seeing as my past record is against me I feel obligated to ask you about birth control. I'm guessing a child would throw off your London plans."

I nodded. "Definitely out of the question for the foreseeable future. I'd be a terrible mom anyway. You don't need to worry about it, I'm on the shot. I'm good for another year and I don't have any diseases."

"I'm clean as well." He admitted.

"No sleeping with other girls, while were doing this." I added. "I'm known to be jealous and I don't feel like sharing."

"That goes both ways." He added seriously.

I nodded, liking the idea of a jealous Ranger. "What about when we're in public?" I asked. "I'm assuming you don't want everyone here to know your sleeping with me."

"The men here will probably guess what were up to when they see you coming to the penthouse more often." He said, "Although they'd never tell anyone, you and me least of all. Seeing how quickly news spreads around town though, we should probably stay away from Public displays of affection unless you want your mom to know about us."

"That would be fun." I said dryly, rolling my eyes at the ear full, I'd undoubtedly get from my mom if she found out I was shacking up with Ranger in my spare time.

Ranger smiled at me. "Your mom wouldn't approve of me I'm guessing."

"Are you Italian?"

He gave me a look that clearly stated he'd rather gnaw off his own left foot.

"Actually, it might be a good idea." I said. "I'm always looking for new ways to disappoint and humiliate her. You could come over for Sunday dinner and we could let her catch us making out on the kitchen counter. I'll wear my cross, you wear your gun. Are you Catholic?"

He nodded. "I was raised Catholic, however my own faith is in a constant state of flux."

"Mine, too." I admitted. "I can't remember the last time I went to church."

"Ok," He said. "In public our relationship is strictly professional. Up here or in your fourth floor apartment, we'll be safe from prying eyes and cameras."

"How often are we planning to get together?" I asked looking him over. I was already wondering how many times I could have him tonight.

Ranger looked me over the same way. "Babe, I plan on having you repeatedly. Any night you feel like you have the strength and I'm not working is fair game."

This time I leered at him. "I think my sex drive might surprise you." I admitted. "My shower massager and I are known to go several rounds a day when I'm in a bad mood."

He smiled. "I've heard that." He said. "It sounded like you were having a good time, but I should tell you now that I'm great in the shower. Once I'm done with you, your shower massager will never be adequate again. I intend to ruin you."

I blushed, he couldn't mean what I thought he did. Had he heard me that day after my apartment had been fire bombed?!

Ranger slid across the sofa, one hand wrapping low around my waist, the other taking my empty wine glass away from me and setting it on a side table. "Yeah Babe, we heard everything."

"We?" I gulped.

"Santos was there too remember?"

"Oh God." I could feel the panic attack coming on but it, and my humiliation, were both forgotten as Ranger pulled me closer and lowered me so I was lying on the sofa and he was kneeling over me. One of his hands tangled in my hair, forcing me to keep eye contact.

"You ready Babe?" He asked.

He already had one hand under my shirt and I moaned when the pad of his thumb brushed against the underside of my breast. I fisted one of my own hands in his hair and pulled him to me for a bruising kiss. I'd been ready for this all week.

We must have kissed for hours as we explored each other's bodies. Ranger was a very physical person. From the moment we started, he never stopped touching me. His hands were everywhere, brushing against my over heated skin. Ranger found a soft spot behind my ear that drove me wild. He liked it when I played with his hair and scraped my nails down his back. I liked the way he kissed and the way he gently breathed my name.

I trailed my lips up to his ear, tugging gently on the lob. "I've had fantasies about these studs." I told him, nibbling around the two diamonds in his ear. "Every time you wear them to the gym I have naughty thoughts about stripping you naked and taking you right on my performance mat."

He looked at me with black, lustful eyes. "Bedroom, now." His voice was husky adding to the rush of wetness between my legs.

I nodded along and let him pull me to my feet, totally ready to be done with the foreplay We left a trail of clothes in our wake, kissing and nipping as we striped each other bare and got our first good looks at each other naked. I fell back onto the bed first as Ranger stepped out of his boots. He was glorious, hard and toned in all the right places.

"Your sheets are so soft." I moaned, pushing myself farther up the bed. They had to be a million thread count. Although my skin was so warm it might have just been the feel of cool silk that made me even more sensitive.

Ranger crawled after me, shaking his head slightly. "Babe," I think he found me amusing.

I was so wound up I knew I wouldn't last long as soon as he put his hands back on me. He ran his hands up my legs, his lips ghosting against the soft insides of my knees and then my thighs.

"Ranger," I begged, whimpering as his finger outlined my most sensitive areas.

He blew against my center and I jumped. "Relax, Babe." He cooed, throwing a long arm across my hips to keep me still. "We have all night,"

"Want you now." I managed to pant through clenched teeth.

"You will have me Babe." He promised. "I want to taste you first."

Then he lowered his mouth to my lady bits and I came instantly. My orgasm washed over me like pure fire, hard and unexpected. Every nerve I had stood on end and I think I howled. Ranger kept his mouth on me while I rode out the waves of bliss. His warm tongue stroking me, confident and hard, as he lapped up everything my body had to offer him for his efforts.

"So sweet Babe," He murmured, kissing his way up the rest of me. "You taste amazing."

I was still panting as he kissed my cheek and nuzzled against my neck. "It's been awhile for you hu?" He guessed.

I nodded. "Your way better then my shower massager. That was so intense." He was way better than anything I'd ever experienced before. If that was just what Ranger oral did to me, I could only imagine what a mess I'd be after a couple of real ones.

"It's about to get better, Babe."

My legs spread automatically for him as he lined up with my center and I hissed as he slowly slid every thick inch of himself inside. He spread me wide and filled me more completely then any partner I'd ever taken in before. Holy crap he felt amazing.

"So good, Babe." He said against my ear, once he was all the way in. "You're so tight." He said a few other things, but it took me a second to realize they were all in Spanish. It was so hot I almost came again. He was hard, the perfect length for me, fitting like a long forgotten missing piece.

"Ranger," I begged. He'd staid still, giving me time to adjust to his size. I rocked my hips a bit, aching for more. "Move, please."

He held himself above me, just enough to take off the weight and pulled all the way out. "This isn't gunna be slow Babe." He said, thrusting all the way back in a single go. I moaned against his neck, loving the feel of him. "It's been a while for me too."

"Faster." I agreed. "I can take it." Burn me Batman.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

I woke up the next morning to a beep from Ranger's watch, where we'd tossed it on the floor. I stirred against his chest and felt his arms tighten around my waist.

"Morning, Babe."

I snuggled deeper, breathing in his scent as well as the scent of us that was all over the room. "Morning." We'd slept through the night, waking periodically to share fast, mind numbing, world rocking, sex. I was deliciously sore and well rested, feeling better than I had in a long, long time.

"Is Santo's meeting you for yoga this morning?" He asked.

I ground, "Yes, what time is it?" I'd never hear the end of it if Lester caught me up here.

"You've got time." He reassured me. The arms around me moved, pulling me up his chest for a light kiss. His mouth was warm and his stubble scratched against my cheeks. He was all soft from sleep and so damn sexy.

"I haven't brushed my teeth yet."

He shushed my complaints and rolled me over, sliding his tongue into my mouth at the same time as he slid his morning wood into my center. My legs settled easily around his waist. All thoughts of brushing gone as we rocked together easily. Our bodies knowing exactly what they wanted and what we could get from each other. We'd gone a number of rounds last night, but it was like we'd been doing this for years. His lips brushed against my cheeks and my neck. He left a pair of gentle kisses on my eyelids and then we were moving faster.

We peeked together, moaning the other's name. I shivered as he lowered his mouth to my neck for one last kiss against my raging pulse and breathed my name against my skin. Having him like this, all warm and soft and smelling like us, it was easy to see how quickly I could lose myself if I forgot for even a moment that this wasn't real. It couldn't be real.

Ranger sat up, quickly, pulling me with him and nudged me in the direction of his bathroom. "Take a shower, Babe. I'll start coffee."

I walked into Ranger's bathroom and just about had another orgasm. Holy Crap! White and black marble, granite counter tops. His shower alone was the size of my entire bathroom down stairs. His and her stainless steel sinks and plush black towels. It was the king of bathrooms. I might never come back out.

I skipped the mirror, not wanting to see my hair after last night's marathon, and went straight to the shower. Seven silver head's around the wall gave constant spray and the bench along the back was giving me ideas for the day Ranger cashed in on his shower promise.

I used his shampoo and then found a bottle of the Bulgaria green tea body wash he always smelled like. Jack Pot! I lathered and rinsed twice, loving the smell of him and the memories, the scent brought back of last night. Ranger truly was the greatest lover I'd ever had. I'd lost count of how many times I'd come in the last twelve hours.

He'd kept his promise of going slow, but even without getting freaky I'd tried a number of new things with him and learned a few things about myself as well. I dried off and wrapped myself in a plush black robe, since I didn't have any clean clothes to wear. I glanced in the mirror and was a little disappointed to see that Ranger hadn't left any marks from last night. I suppose it was for the best though, it would be hard to explain away a hicky.

I found Ranger in the kitchen, standing over a glass of black coffee. He smiled when he saw me in the robe and nodded to a set of clothes folded on the table. "I ran down stairs and got you some things."

"Thanks."

He'd grabbed me clean panties as well as a sports bra to go with the track shorts and tank top combo for my morning yoga. I thought about blushing that he'd been in my underwear drawer, but since he'd already seen me naked it felt like wasted effort.

I undid the robe and heard Ranger moan as I laid it over the back of the couch and grabbed the panties. "See something you like?" I teased, pulling the black lace on.

"I thought I saw a tattoo last night." He mused and I jumped when he trailed one warm finger along the back edge of my panties. "Is there a story behind it?"

I turned around and smiled at him, stepping back so I wouldn't jump him again. "I told you last night I'm Wonder Woman." I pulled on the sports bra and tank-top fast and grabbed the shorts. "I got it after I moved to New York. I guess I needed a confidence booster. She's my inspiration."

The little Wonder Woman logo was low on the backside of my right hip. There were days I wondered what convinced me to get it, but mostly I was glad to have it with me.

"I like it." He said.

I stepped into the shorts and grabbed the second cup of coffee, waiting for me. "Good, because it was staying either way." Ranger had already doctored up my coffee and I took a long sip. The clock on the wall beeped five and I knew if I didn't leave soon, Lester would beat me to my own room.

Ranger hooked a finger in the waistband of my shorts and pulled me close. He gave me a quick, panties wetting kiss then pulled back. "I'll have your clothes washed." He said, turning me towards the door. "Have fun with Santos."

Lester was leaning against the frame when I stepped out of the elevator. He raised an eyebrow at me as I neared him and then grinned. "Congratulations."

I rolled my eyes, and let myself in. "Shut up."

"No, I'm serious." Lester said following me in. "This is great. Ranger will finally cool down. I'm betting you feel better too, you're glowing."

"No I'm not." I pulled on socks and my tennis shoes.

"Have you looked at yourself, Beautiful?" Lester asked passing me back my coffee and following me into the hall, once I'd grabbed my bag. "You could probably keep this whole building lit for the day.

I shook my head and took a few sips of my coffee. "Maybe so, but it's a secret so keep your mouth shut ok?"

He hit the button for the garage and hooked an arm around my shoulders. "Whatever you say Beautiful." He paused and then slid me a big wolf grin. "How was it?"

On in inside I was dancing. It had been one of the greatest nights of sex in my inter life. On the outside I ignored him, keeping my eyes locked forward and my attention on my coffee. Lester just laughed.

Once again, we were the first set of people in the park this morning. In order to keep a better look out for crazy, firebombing madmen, Lester had requested that we do our work-outs closer to the parking lot and away from the open expanse of land near the lake. I didn't care either way. For forty-five minutes, I worked to keep my breath rate even as Lester led us through move after move.

After yoga, we stopped to change clothes and eat breakfast with the guys. I grabbed a spice muffin and dropped into the chair between Lester and Cal. I swung my legs over the arm and picked at my breakfast, letting myself get lost in thought while they chatted about some bust they'd done last night. If any of them noticed my "glow' they didn't say anything and I was glad.

"We get anything new in on Steph's case?" Lester asked.

I turned back to the conversation to catch what they'd say.

"Nothing yet, so far as I've heard." Bobby said over his oatmeal. "None of Ranger's overseas contacts are finding anything."

"Maybe it's not someone overseas at all." Hal suggested. "Could be something closer to home."

Most of the guys didn't think that was likely and I agreed. Amber and Brandon were on good terms with most of the other America gymnastics trainers. I was having a hard time believing that someone from my own Country would want to kill me. Over all, without more evidence, it was looking like Ranger and his guys would hit a dead end.

"Maybe I should make myself more obvious." I offered.

The guys looked at me like I'd grown a second head with big curling ram horns or something.

"I'm serious." I said, sitting up farther. "I'm sick of hiding out like the victim. Maybe I should do another article, say how excited I am for the upcoming Olympics or something like that. Walk around outside and hope they take another shot at me. Maybe you'll get more evidence."

"Only if they mess up." Cal said. "So far they've been very clean."

"Not a chance Beautiful." Lester shot me down fast. "No one here's going to risk your safety like that. If they're serious about coming after you, they'll do it wither you make it easy for them or not."

Bobby shrugged. "A news article might be a good idea though. Stir up the waters, as it were. Besides it can't hurt your game to put your name out there more right?"

"Only if it gets me shot."

No one laughed at my poor joke and that was ok. I really wasn't looking forward to possible getting shot. I really couldn't afford any kind of injury. All this talk of being shot at and stalked was working me up. I pushed aside my muffin and stood up.

"Let's go Les, I need to hit something."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

We walked into the gym fifteen minutes later and I changed into my work clothes. When I came out of the bathroom, Lester was holding my ball in one hand and, the silver hoop I used in practice, in the other.

"Which one first?" He asked. "These are my two favorites."

I smiled at him. "The hoop is my favorite too, but I want to work on the floor number first. We never got to it yesterday."

He nodded and went off to set up my music, while I started warming up. We stretched, and then I ran laps. Just as I was about to suggest we start working when my phone buzzed. It was Amber, calling for her daily check-in.

"Hi Am," I said, holding the phone to my ear, while I sat down on the mat.

"Morning Steph, How are things going?"

I slept with Ranger! But, I wasn't going to tell her that part, at least not yet. "Everything's going good. I feel good. Les and I were just about to work on the floor number for a bit."

She asked about some corrections she'd asked me to work on in the ribbon number and then wanted to speak with Lester. They usually talked for a while so Amber could give Lester specific things to work on for the day and what he should watch out for.

I grabbed my hoop and made my way out to the mat to work by myself. I started slow, spinning the hoop first around my arm before sliding it to my waist. Lester caught my eye from across the room and I decided to show off a little. I let the hoop fall down to my knees, stepped out and kicked it into the air. I did a quick tumble and caught it back around my legs.

Lester gave me a little thumbs up and I stuck my tongue out at him. He loved it when I did those really flashy moves, and the hoop was my favorite tool to play with. Once he was off the phone, he waved me over.

"If you're done showing off."

I gave him an innocent smile and hung my hoop up. "Yes coach."

"Good, I've got your track up. What's this song again?"

I rolled my eyes at him and moved back out onto the mat. "It's the orchestral track to 'Your Song' by: Elton John. The version used in Moulin Rouge. I still can't believe you've never seen that movie. It's sooo good."

"I'm not really a musical kind of guy." He admitted.

"It takes place in a whore house. The leading lady's a burlesque dancer. Sounds right up your ally to me."

He grinned at that. "Then we'll add it to our list for movie night. Terminator and Whore houses over popcorn."

"If we ever have time for it." With the hours, we kept in the gym and the time I'd now be giving to Ranger, I was doubting I'd have time to tie my own shoes.

"We'll make time." He promised. "If not now, then after you bring home the gold. You didn't really think we were all going to let you just walk away from us when this mess is over did you? Every man at RangeMan already loves you, I'm afraid you're stuck with a bunch of big, scary, new best friends."

I smiled at that. "Are you guys going to come to London with me?"

He nodded. "That's the plan, as long as we haven't caught the bad guy by then. You'll have twenty-four hour RangeMan top security. Ranger's already contacted Olympic officials to fill them in on the possibility of us coming with you."

"I thought we were trying to keep the threats out of the papers?" I asked. "What happened to keeping a low profile?"

He shrugged. "For your own safety, they'll have to keep quiet about it for now. However, there's no way we'll be able to hide this forever. You might want to talk to Amber and Brandon about that later. They might want to set up an interview or something so it comes out on their own terms."

"I'll call her later." I promised. "What does she want us to work on today?"

"More of the same. Floor, the end of the ball number, and clubs for today. She expects me to call her later with an update on how you're doing." He hit the button to start my floor music.

Ever since Lester had started telling the guys about what exactly it was I did in the gym, they'd been trying to find ways of slipping over and seeing it for themselves. Usually, they'd offer to bring over lunch or take turns on monitors so they could see into the gym.

By the time lunch rolled around today, I had a full audience. Cal, Hal and Woody had all come to join us, bringing Greek salads, rolls and a mix basket of fruit for lunch.

"That was the best one yet, Beautiful." Lester said as the music for my floor routine faded away. I nodded yanking the tie out of my hair so I could re-pin it up. I hated when sweaty hair stuck to my neck.

The guys watching from the sidelines, clapped and whistled. I wasn't used to having attractive men watching and cheering for me so I blushed. I gave them a little wave and looked back to Lester.

"What's next?" I asked.

"It's noon." He said. "Lunch time if you're hungry, or you could give the guys a real show and do your ball number. Then you could make them all really uncomfortable."

I shook my head. "No way, pick a different one."

In the end, the guys voted to see the hoop number. Lester changed my CD for me and soon I was flying around the mat to the song "Gypsy: by Ronan Hardiman." It was one of my faster numbers and let me show off some harder tricks, sure to score high, as long as I didn't drop it. I hit the last note having just snagged the hoop out of the air and did a little curtsy when everyone clapped.

I put my gear away and joined the guys on the floor for food. They told funny stories about some of RangeMan's first cases until Cal and Hal got called away to chase a bad guy. Woody hung around to see each of my other numbers and asked Lester a ton of questions about what exactly he was supposed to be looking for. Lester was able to answer most of his questions and I was going to try and remember to tell Ranger he deserved a raise. He'd gone way above and beyond learning all of this stuff to help me train.

Lester and I finally called it quits around nine. I forced myself to soak in an ice bath for ten minutes. I dragged myself to the break room and made myself eat one of Ella's pre-made sandwiches. I showered in my own bathroom and was wondering what my protocol with Ranger was. Should I call him? Or could I just show up at his door on seven? What if he wasn't even there?

I walked into the bedroom, wrapped only in a little black towel and nearly screamed. Ranger was lounged across my bed, bare-chested. His gun belt and boots already on the floor. The guy could move like a shadow, I hadn't even heard him come in.

He smiled at me and curled one, dark finger in my direction. "Come here."

~Darkrose

Olympic Fun Fact: Who to watch?

For the 2012 games, the United States will only be sending one girl to represent our country in Rhythmic Gymnastics. Julie Zetlin 21, of Maryland, will be the first athlete the US has entered in Rhythmic Gymnastics since the 2004 Games (sadly our country is not known to do well in this sport) . Good Luck Julie!