Disclaimer: I am only borrowing Janet's characters.
Waiting
The warden called the Plum residence, and Ranger. Each telephone call was received with little information available but the prognosis was very guarded. Stephanie had been transferred to the hospital in Newark. She was in surgery as they spoke. The penitentiary was in lock-down and they would find the culprits.
In a matter of minutes, a number of vehicles were flying down the road to Newark. Tank drove Ranger, Frank drove Helen and Edna and a number of black SUV's followed right behind. Ranger was on the phone with the warden again. He asked for access to the videos of the hallway and Stephanie's cell due to a re-opened criminal investigation. After some discussion with the District Attorney in Trenton, she agreed to send a copy to Silvio at Rangeman Miami, and the Trenton Police Department.
Ranger was furious. He had petitioned for her to be taken out of general population, but the paperwork had not been completed. Bureaucracy moves slowly.
Tank glanced at his friend as he raced down the highway. How would he control Ranger if Stephanie died? Tank was sure the warden would eventually find the assailants. Cameras were everywhere, but who was behind the hit? Questions but no answers rolled around his mind.
Ranger was radiating anger. At the same time he was scarily quiet. Tank hoped that the authorities would find someone to convict soon. If Ranger found them before the police... He hoped Bobby had his bag. Knowing Bobby, he probably had a syringe ready in case. If Stephanie died, no man, Tank included would be able to control Ranger in his grief.
Ranger's phone rang. Warden Mardell Walker was on the line again. She had no news but expressed regret that the attack had taken place at her institution. She had instructed the State Police to meet with them at the hospital. They would be guarding the room as Stephanie was a State prisoner. She did give permission for the immediate family and Ranger to visit Stephanie if or when she came out of surgery.
Rangeman was very quiet. Their little sister had been injured and they could not even protect her. Off duty personnel drifted into the break room. Conversations were held in whispers.
A number of the younger Rangeman employees were dangerously close to tears. Older seasoned employees patted them on the back and reassured them that the Bomber was tough and if anyone could pull through, it would be her.
Ella was kept busy supplying sandwiches and coffee to the waiting men. She even served desserts. Now and then, she wiped a tear from her eyes. Ella could see what this young girl fighting for her life in the hospital had accomplished in such a short period of time. In the past, there had been an almost inhuman military atmosphere at Rangeman.
After this bubbly, curly-haired bundle of energy burst on the scene, nothing was the same. Decorations now adorned the control room and break room at holiday times. Presents were exchanged at Christmas and birthdays. Valentines and Shamrocks appeared on cubicle desks.
Stephanie's cubicle did not contain a bookcase filled with military manuals on guns and ammo, tactical maneuvers, Soldier of Fortune magazines, or Life and Times of a Mercenary. Hers held Cosmo, She, Glamor, Cleo and O. In her desk drawer beside her Rangeman Glock and ID tag, sat nail polish and lip gloss. A few candy bars lay hidden under her files. Empty candy wrappers resided in her garbage can. Tasty Cakes were stashed in a cupboard in the break room. Pictures adorned the walls of her cubicle. A pair of her 4" FMP's sat in a corner from a distraction some time ago.
Her in-box, usually full of search requests, sat empty, except for a single red rose.
Nobody wanted to leave until they heard any news of Stephanie. Shift time came and men silently took over their assigned stations. Personnel on patrol asked to be kept abreast of any developments. Miami, Atlanta and Boston begged for updates.
Hours later, Tank phoned the control room to advise everyone that she was out of surgery. It had been touch and go. She had almost lost her life a number of times due to blood loss and trauma. Stephanie would be in the hospital for an extended period of time. Ranger was with her. There were high fives and sighs of relief.
Woody sent a corporate wide text giving the good news about their Bomber.
Stephanie stirred. She heard that familiar beep, beep, beep meaning she was in a hospital once again. She felt Rangers hand clasping hers gently. His thumb was making lazy circles over the top of her hand in an almost hypnotic gesture. She could hear the chair squeak as he changed positions. Fighting to wake up, she gave a little squeeze to Ranger's hand and moaned slightly. She was slowly becoming more aware of her surroundings. There was a tube down her throat. She felt the handcuffs on her left wrist and ankle securing her to the hospital bed as she shifted very slightly. Her chest and stomach felt heavy and the tape on the dressings pulled on her skin.
Opening her eyes slowly, she tried to smile as he leaned over her to give her a gentle kiss on her forehead. Stephanie knew she couldn't talk, but her expressive eyes spoke volumes. Ranger knew that she needed to know what happened. He gently put his finger on her lips and spoke softly. "Don't try to talk Babe. They will take the tube out as soon as they can. You were stabbed three times. They had you in surgery for more than five hours and you coded a couple of times on the table from blood loss. You will be here for awhile before they release you back to the prison infirmary. The State Police are guarding your room and only your parents, Grandma Mazur and I are allowed to see you. The warden sends her apologies for the attack and she has promised to find your assailants."
Ranger looked at her laying in that large bed, looking completely helpless at the moment. His personal nightmare had come true. With all his money, bad ass reputation and contacts, he had almost lost her once again. He realized that this one amazing individual was his life buoy, his center and the absolute love of his life.
Stephanie sighed and slipped back into the darkness. The next time she woke up, her parents and Grandma were in the room. Her dad noticed her awake first and gently leaned down and gave her a little kiss on the cheek. "Pumpkin, we were so worried for you. You are going to be alright now and safe from anything bad." Helen came over to the side of the bed, and smoothed the covers over her daughter. She gently caressed Stephanie's arm and whispered, "Honey, when you get out there will be pineapple upside down cake for the rest of your life!" Grandma also came to her side. "Baby Granddaughter, you should see the hunks guarding your door. They don't have the packages of your Merry Men, but they are not too bad."
Stephanie smiled. She loved her family. Her eyes asked the question, and Frank said, "He is outside waiting to see you again. You should hear him out there barking orders into his phone. He is making the Police outside very nervous."
The door opened and a nurse came in. She was all business and sternly ordered everyone out of the room so that she could check Stephanie over. After kisses and assurances that they would be right outside the door, Frank, Helen and Edna left. After checking all her fluid levels in the IV, her blood pressure, temperature and the drains under her bandages, she removed the breathing tube. Stephanie choked and the nurse held a glass of water with a straw for her to suck on. With a very raspy voice, Stephanie thanked her. She shrugged and told her it was her job. Obviously working in a room with a prisoner and guards outside was not her idea of a good time.
Ranger slipped in as the nurse left. He sat down again in the chair by her bed and took her small hand in his large calloused hand. Stephanie looked at him with a question . Ranger smiled at her. "I don't want to say too much right now Babe, but I don't think that you will be locked up too much longer. Silvio did his magic and found the final link we needed. I won't bore you with the details. I am expecting a phone call anytime." Stephanie nodded her head. Her eyes became heavy. Ranger kissed her lips gently and murmured, "Sleep now Babe. I will be here when you wake up."
See, I told you. Our Bomber is tough.
