Thanks ya'll for the great response!
I woke up with a throbbing headache and my left shoulder and arm were killing me. I felt something move at my side and it was Mary Lou she was asleep. Ranger was leaning against the wall staring out the window. I started to move and accidentally disturbed her and startled him .
"Sweetie, you're awake, I was starting to freak out. I thought the worst when Ranger called me."
"I'm fine, I think" trying to sit up.
"Don't move Steph. The doctors say you have a concussion and a gun shot wound to your shoulder."
"Gun shot? Somebody shot me?, why in the hell?"
Ranger started to pace, unable to look at me.
"I'm fine, honest I am."
"Hey Lou , could you go grab me something to eat? I never got dinner."
"I will be right back." She hurried out the door. He continued to pace.
"Sit down and tell me when I can get out of here."
"You seem pretty okay for somebody who got shot."
"I have questions Ranger. I just want to ask them when we aren't here."
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Granted i sounded calm but internly i was freaking out! "I'm so sorry you got shot Stephanie ."
"Did you shoot me?"
"Of course not. how hard did you hit your head?"
"I know you didn't shoot me, I just wanted you to remember that."
He exhaled deeply and put his head in his hands.
"I'm here to protect you. Not get you riddled with bullet holes."
"You want to know how you can do that? Get me home where at least there are walls, gates and security systems. Please Ranger."
Two hours, some discharge papers and one very angry Hispanic later we pulled into the back driveway and drove the SUV into the hanger. Mary Lou helped me to me room and into some clothes. After changing it took about 20 minutes to get in bed with help and a much needed dose of pain medicine I fell asleep. Waking up a few hours later. The sun was starting to come up, I looked around my room. Ranger was asleep on the couch. Did he really think something would happen in my own house? I tried to sit up a little so that I could grab the water bottle on the nightstand. Startled he jumped up.
"I'm so sorry, I was trying to reach the bottle of water and ended up knocking everything over." I said apologetically.
He crossed the room, handed me the water bottle and picked everything up.
"No worries, I wasn't really asleep. "
Sitting up straighter. I replied, "go to bed I will be fine."
"Not leaving you alone, end of discussion."
"Then at least come sit down and explain to me what happened."
I pointed to the other side of the bed. He reluctantly sat on the other side.
"So spill before I fall asleep again."
"You got out of the car, shots were fired and you hit the ground hard."
"We couldn't find anyone who saw the shooter."
"You think this has something to do with my family?"
"Yes I do."
"Then if that's the case I want to get Lou back to New York City."
"You think she will leave you here."
"She won't have a choice. Plus I have a feeling you could be very convincing."
I handed him the tv remote as I sunk back into the pillows and fell asleep.
I awoke to yelling. "I come to check on you and you're in bed with him."
Trying to sit up Ranger reached over to help me.
"Thanks, Joe what are you doing in my bedroom. And don't yell at me like I'm something that you own."
I slid out of bed seeing red and in a lot of pain. "Look, do you want me throwing you out again?"
As he opened his mouth I stepped toward him.
"For future knowledge whoever I have in my bed is none of your business." With my good arm I shoved him toward the door.
"Steph, I just wanted ..."
"You just wanted to what? Try and start a relationship with somebody who has no interest in you? Somebody who will never see you in a romantic way? Please stop me when I'm getting close."
I kept stepping toward him forcing him to back his way down the hall toward the living room.
"You aren't welcome here anymore. This is my house, not my parent's or Val's. Understand yet?"
By now he was backed against the window next to the front door. It took a lot of effort to open the door.
"You really think you are better than me don't you, Steph ?"
He stepped toward me. Taller than me but shorter than Ranger. Joe pulled back his arm, without even thinking I caught him in the jaw and then gave him a push out the door. I watched him land on the ground. Pushing the door closed I collapsed in front of it. My shoulder throbbing. Any energy I had acquired from sleeping was gone. Mary Lou and Ranger stood in front of me clearly concerned.
"Sweetie, this has to stop. The whole pushing people out the door. We need to get you off the floor and back to bed."
"I know, but the way he came at me for no reason plus I thought he was going to hit me . I just had to put an end to it. Granted it wasn't mature but judging by the shape I'm in I figured I could get away with it."
"Steph, let's get you up off the floor."
"I just want to sit here for a bit."
"You can sit on the couch." Lou pointed out.
"Mary Lou , I'm fine go eat something, I just need some time to register the past few days."
She turned and walked towards the kitchen, Ranger on the other hand sat down next to me. I rested my head against the door.
"You know it will be okay." He assured me.
"I won't let anything happen to you, promise."
"Its not that I don't believe you. This is just becoming ridiculous."
"You can survive this"
"I'm starting to think I may not be so strong anymore."
"All you need is to rest, so let's get you up and back to bed" I climbed to my feet with help.
"I'm really sorry about how Joe addressed you."
"No big deal, let him think what he wants."
I walked into the kitchen and hugged My best friend then headed back to my room. I stood in front of the mirror. Man, did I look like hell. My hair was pulled back in parts. There was blood on my shirt, I guess it went through the bandaging. I needed to get out of the shirt and change it. One thing I knew was that it wasn't going to be a solo issue. I walked back out to the kitchen hoping to enlist some assistance. They were sitting at the bar both facing the kitchen.
"Who's better with blood?"
