"You can stay there." I said. "I really meant talk, Lester. Clear the air, if we don't talk about this, we won't be able to work together." I explained, Les shook his head.
"I'd been fine to work no matter what." He said slightly defensively, "You're my boss, my past commanding officer, and a brother to me." He explained.
"He's right, Ric." Tank said. "You would be able to work, but both of you would still be wary of one another. In which case, Ric is right too." We all nodded, while Tank talked Lester got up.
"You didn't have to get up." I told him.
"I know, but I wanted to, this is important." He answered. Damn straight, this is my little sister, I thought, but just nodded. We walked into my office.
"You armed?" Lester asked. I nodded, confused. "Just don't kill me." He said joking, I laughed, there is that smartass.
"I make no promises." I responded. He gaped at me. "I was joking; Danny wouldn't like it if I finished you off. He wants that job, if it comes to it." I answered. Lester paled slightly.
"Danny wouldn't finish me off, our Momma would kill him." He answered hesitantly.
"Don't listen to him Lester, he won't kill you. Neither will Danny." Tank chuckled. Lester nodded.
"I know that," he responded.
"Sure you did." Tank laughed.
"Enough children." I interrupted. "Let's get this over with." I added.
"Look Ranger, when I talked to you before it was an idea, not actuality that Leah and I might get together, but now it's becoming that actuality. That obviously changes things, are you still ok with this, and me?" Lester asked after taking a deep breath.
"I'm still ok with it, but I swear to you, if you hurt my sister because of something stupid, I swear I will hurt you." I answered truthfully.
LESTERS POV
I felt myself pale; Ranger just gave me the warning of my life. "I would never want to hurt Leah," I told him.
"I'm not joking Lester, I will hurt you. Leah is my baby sister; she's one of the most important people in my life. I love her more than anything. Do not hurt her, because not only will I hurt you, Andy and Alex will be after you too." Ranger reminded me.
"I know, trust me I know. I also can't decide who will hurt me most?" I said joking.
"I will." Ranger answered with a slight smile.
"Good to know, I'm make sure you find me first so you knock me out." I laughed. "But I swear you Ranger, I have no intention of hurting Leah, just like you I hate to see her upset." I said.
"I know that's why I'm also going to say this: Leah is not like all your other girls. She's not a one night stand, if that's what you're after, end this now." Ranger growled.
"It's not. You know that I would never do that to Leah." I answered with slight defensiveness.
"Good. As long as that's clear." Ranger said.
"So you're sure your ok with this?" I asked again.
"Yes, just don't forget what I've said." He said, I nodded.
"You're ok with me?" I asked.
"Yes, I've known you for how long?" he asked.
"My whole life." I answered.
"Exactly Lester, I know you. I know you're a good guy, I just know how you are with women most of the time, and I don't want you to do that to Leah."
"I know, Ranger, trust me. I don't have the best past with women, but that's not why I want to be with Leah. You have to believe me Ranger, Tank you too." I said with a slight beg.
"We know, relax Lester." Tank said reassuringly. "But listen to me now, because I will not say it again. Do not hurt Leah." Tank added, even without the threat being said, I knew what he meant. I knew I had paled more, I nodded.
"Yes Sir." I answered. Around the guys I never use sir; I was hoping they realized I meant it tonight in respect for Leah's older brothers.
"Hey boys, if your all done deciding my life for me, I'm just wanted to say goodnight." We all turned shocked to see Leah standing in the doorway. "You all need to be more aware of your surroundings." She smiled, I could see she was proud of herself for one sneaking up on all of us, and two throwing our words back at us.
"What woke you?" Ranger asked.
"Nothing. I'm going down to my room, I'll see you guys in the morning, I'll probably be in the control room around 8. Is that ok?" Leah asked, carefully avoiding answering Rangers question.
LEAH'S POV
"That's fine, whenever you want, you could sleep in if you want." My brother said. I nodded. "So what woke you?" he asked.
"Goodnight." I said, walking to my brother I gave him a hug and kissed his cheek. He returned the hug and kissed the top of my head, however when I tried to pull away he wouldn't let me go. "Don't worry about it Ric." I chuckled.
"Goodnight Baby Girl." He said and gave me another kiss. I was thinking he was happy I was home again. When he finally let me go I took the two steps to Tank.
"Night big brother." I smiled; Tank had always looked out for me and truly was a big brother to me.
"Night Darling." He said returning my hug and kissing the top of my head too, however he released me as I pulled back. When I pulled back, I was thinking about how awkward this would be soon, being around my brothers and with Lester.
"Hey Ric, are you gonna be free for lunch tomorrow?" I asked softly, I didn't want him to put off his job, or life just because I was home again.
"No, I'm going to be up here with you. Come on Baby girl you couldn't have forgotten that fast." He smiled. I nodded, walking over to Lester.
"Night Les." I smiled, giving him a hug.
"Goodnight Leah." He said, and then kissed the top of my head, just as my brothers had done. I laughed to myself, these guys were so great. I pulled away and glanced at my brothers, Tank had a small smile on his face, Ric had his blank mask on. I sighed mentally; I would talk to him tomorrow.
"Thanks for dragging me up here Ric." I said and the boys laughed.
"I'll do it again if I have too."
"I'll remember that, and pay back will be coming." I answered.
"Good luck." Ranger laughed.
"I remember the last time you tried to get Ranger." Tank laughed.
"Yeah yeah." I laughed, remembering how I failed miserable, but in my defense I was a lot younger then. "Alright, I'm going to fall down soon, goodnight guys." I smiled and turned to leave the room.
"Good night Lester." I heard Ranger say, I turned back shocked. Ranger just dismissed Les? Aw hell, Les and I can't be anything if it's going to strain their relationship.
"Ranger?" Tank asked Lester was just stared at him.
"I'm not pissed, Lester Breath." Ranger said this statement caused Lester to wake up and actually take a breath.
"So you're dismissing me?" Lester asked still shocked.
"No, if you want to stay up here stay. We're not in the military right now are we?" Ranger asked all of us shook our heads. "I know you want go downstairs, so just go." Ranger smiled.
"Ric? You're not trying to kill Lester or me?" I asked shocked, and hesitantly.
"No not yet, we've talked. Also you both know my thoughts." Ric said. Tank was smiling.
"What are you smiling about?" I asked tank.
"Nothing little girl, just the fact that your brother has just figured some things out." He laughed.
"Oh and what's that?" I asked.
"Well for one, you're not a small child anymore." I looked at Ric, he nodded sheepishly. Hmm interesting.
"And" Lester prompted. "You said things, plural." He explained.
"There's more?" I asked. Tank and Ranger nodded after looking at one another briefly. They really had been around one another to long, they always knew what the other was thinking. "Are you going to share with the class?" I asked.
"You're both happy." He Ranger said.
I gapped at Ranger for a few moments then looked at Lester, he was looking at Ranger, and he nodded and looked towards me. I smiled at him.
"Yeah I am. Point being?"
"You make one another happy. No one wants to see either of you unhappy." Tank said.
"Thanks." I said softly, I love my brothers so much they were the great ever.
"Goodnight." Ranger said. "Lester, you're off at least one whole day this week." Ranger said.
"Excuse me?" Lester asked.
"You're dead on your feet, I don't care what day. But you need rest. Sleep in tomorrow, and take at least one day off." Ranger explained. "No discussion on this." He added.
"You got it Rang." Lester said. "Night guys." He added sheepishly. Tank and Ranger laughed.
"Night!" I added they both answered and Lester and I started to walk out.
"Hey Leah I need to talk to Ranger real fast. I'll meet you in the hall?" Lester asked me suddenly when we reached the front door to Ric's apartment.
"Yeah Les, I can walk down alone really." I said, secretly upset.
"Nah wait for me, please." He asked with puppy dog eyes, damn it. I really did just want sleep.
"Ok. Can I wait here?"
"Yeah, of course."
"Two minutes really." I nodded and watched him take long strides to Ric's office.
LES's pov
I had a sudden thought, and needed to talk to Ranger again, as I walked away from Leah I knew I was about to have an awkward conversation with Ranger. I walked into his office, knocking on the doorframe before entering.
"Lester?" Ranger asked.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked. He nodded; Tank looked at me then Ranger.
"Leah in the hall?" he asked. I nodded. "I'll be outside, don't make me regret leaving, either of you." He warned.
"Got ya Dad, we'll be good I promise. Scouts honor." I joked holding up two fingers. He shook his head.
"What's on your mind Les?" Ric asked.
"I know you said you're ok with this situation, but I need to talk about some things." I said. He nodded, as if saying I'm listening and take your time. "I don't want to do anything to anger you." I admitted.
"I know. But what exactly are you talking about?" he asked.
"If one of us stayed in the others room, are we both, and I mean am I, going to be alive the next day." I asked.
"You're putting me in a really awkward spot Santos." I nodded easily catching him using my last name giving me a warning to watch my word choice. I knew this was bad, but we both knew it had to be said. "You're both grownups." He said as if he tasted something horrible. I nodded my understanding basically he was ok with it, but never wanted to admit that his baby sister was in alone room with a guy, she was his baby sister.
"You going to kill me if you see a PDA?" I asked cheekily, I had to I can't handle this serious of stuff for long.
"Depends." He answered. He wasn't going to, but if he saw something he didn't like, my ass was dead and I'd be on monitor duty for a long time.
"Trust me on this Sir, please." I said, turning serious.
"I am." He answered. "Why are you calling me sir?"
I took a deep breath, "Respect. You're her older brother, and a father figure to her, if I was going this serious about any other girl I would need to talk to her father then I would use sir for anyone." I explained quietly. This was another subject that I knew Ric did not want to talk about. He nodded after a minute.
"Thanks Lester, but really you don't have to call me sir." He said, "Now get out of my sight; I've seen your ugly mug for too long." He smirked.
"Right back at ya." I laughed, "Night Ric."
"Night Les." He answered as I walked out of his office; Tank was talking to Leah by the door. They noticed me, and Leah hugged Tank and gave him a smile. Tank kissed her on the top of her head and opened the door for her; I had reached them by this point and looked at Tank.
"You've had your warning." He said quietly. I nodded, knowing that if I did anything to hurt Leah I was dead.
"Trust me, please." I answered. He hesitated, "she means a lot to everyone, I know that." I added. Finally Tank nodded. We had this discussion under our breaths so Leah wouldn't have to hear, she was watching us carefully knowing what was taking place.
"Are you done now?" she asked slightly pissed off. We both smiled at her
"Yeah Darling. We're done." Tank answered chuckling. "Good, Night big brother, see you in the am." She smiled and walking to the stairwell, I laughed to myself. Only Leah willingly took the stairs, Ranger taught her so many things. I caught up to her about five steps down, and took a hold of her under her legs and behind neck, and lifted her into my arms. She gave a tiny shriek of surprise.
LEAH'S POV
"Lester!" I shrieked he scared me by suddenly picking me up.
"What?" he smiled.
"Put me down, you're going to hurt yourself. Why do you guys feel that I can't walk by myself?" I asked angrily.
"You can do it by yourself, but I told you I would carry you down. Can't go back on my word, I'd get kicked out of the military. Honesty is important." He answered being the smart ass that he was.
"jerk." I replied, "Put me down." I added.
"Nope sorry, we're almost back." He said. I sighed, knowing I was not going to win. Lester had already reached his apartment. "Will you come in for a few minutes so we can talk?" he asked, outside his door. I nodded. "You're not too tired?" I shook my head. "Feeling awkward?" he asked, I nodded my head not looking at him. I glanced at him and he had been smirking, but not anymore. He slowly lowered me to my feet. Oh man, just what I needed. Lester unlocked his door and pushed the door open, allowing me to go in first. "What anything to eat or drink?" he asked.
"Nope, I'm good thanks though Les." I answered happily.
"You gonna pretend you're not feeling awkward?" he asked.
"Yes, and you will to." I answered chuckling.
"No sorry. Why do you feel awkward?" he asked.
"Do we have to do this?" I asked.
"Yes, Leah we do." He answered sitting down in the chair across from his couch.
"You're not going to sit with me?" I asked surprised.
"Not until after this talk." He said.
"Fine be that way. I've known you forever, you work for my older brother, he was at one point your commanding officer, and your six years older than me. I know so much about you that I should be afraid, and you know everything about me, all my secrets! I don't even understand how you can want to have a relationship!" I blurted out, growing louder as I went on. I finished quietly though, embarrassed of what I was saying.
"You're amazing, your brother is one of the best men I've ever met and will ever meet, all of your brothers I should say. Age doesn't matter, hopefully my six years ahead of you will make me mature enough for you. I love that I know everything about you, but I still don't know everything, but I hope you'll tell me everything one day. If everything you known about me scares you then we shouldn't have a relationship." Lester said, starting with emotion and ending with a "blank face" void of any emotion.