A/N - Thanks again to my dear friend and Mary Lou XxTartLoverxX. She is so wonderful to bounce ideas off even if some of them are crazy! Thanks for supporting me!
I know this is a Tart story, but it has over 8K views but a little over 120 reviews. If you don't want to admit you like Tart, you can review as a guest! LOL. I approve all guest reviews just as they are! There was double smut (yeah dream but still) and only 11 reviews. Did my smut suck that bad?
Roscommon again, you and your reviews rock! Thanks!
Chapter 10
4 ½ weeks before the mission
Lester and Bobby remained silent until they were in Bobby's apartment with the door shut and were sitting on the couch before Lester asked, "Brown, what EXACTLY did you say to Beautiful yesterday?"
"Not much, what EXACTLY do you want to know?" Bobby grinned, he was enjoying this.
"Damnit, stop being a jackass and tell me!" Lester growled.
"OK, OK, be a killjoy will ya? Bomber came to see me in the infirmary yesterday and said she knew that we'd called Ranger to the mats. She was kind of pissed about it, but flattered too. The main thing she asked was why you had a bruise on your cheek and Ranger looked like he'd been hit by a truck, but Tank and I were fine if we'd all called Ranger out. So, I told her you took on Ranger last and it got a bit heated between the two of you, but you reached an understanding. I also told her I bandaged Ranger up and then Tank and I found you 5 shots into a bottle of Patron, shared two more with you and then tucked you in to go night night after you passed out," Bobby laughed.
"You must have elaborated more on the 'understanding' because she told Ranger and me that it was up to us if she dated one or neither of us. What I really want to know is if you told her why I was 5 shots to the wind when you and Tank showed up? No more stalling," Lester was getting annoyed at his friend. He needed answers fast.
"I told her as her best friend and someone who loves her that you took Ranger's behavior very personally on her behalf and that you needed to drink some of that away. She got a look on her face like she understood something, told me thanks and left. So, now you, what happened last night? Ranger looks like someone took away his favorite toy and pissed in his Cheerios, and you and Bomber were all sorts of flirty this morning. Was I right? Is Bomber tired of Ranger's shit?" Bobby gleefully asked with a shit eating grin on his face.
"Damn, Bobby, you're like a girl. Is it the medical training to be all sensitive that does this shit to you? You gossip almost as bad as Connie!"
"Growing up with sisters and the medical training…C'mon man, tell me, you know I'm rooting for you here, and if anything I said to Steph helped you out, then I want to know!"
Lester gave in and gave Bobby rundown of the evening from the movie all the way until he and Ranger left. "You should have seen her! She never went to Denial Land once and she laid it all out there. I just wish I knew what she was going to tell me before Ranger interrupted!"
"So, I was right! I told you so! She's tired of Ranger's shit! So, does this mean you are going to man up and ask her out?" Bobby was ecstatic. He had been convinced that Steph was interested in Lester even if Santos didn't think so. He wanted his friends to be happy and knew they could make each other so.
"Yes, but we can't go out until I get back from Boston," Les sighed with disappointment. "But, I have a plan for while I'm gone. You in?" he asked with a grin.
"Abso-fucking-lutely! Just tell me what you need."
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Stephanie sat between Bobby and Lester during the morning meeting and wondered why the two of them had the type of grins on their faces that could only mean they were up to something. She'd have to do some fishing later, and knew Brown was her best shot. For a man, he was on par with Connie and Lula for sharing gossip.
Hal, Cal and Hector had been observing the behavior of Stephanie, Lester and Ranger in the gym and were very curious as to what was going on. Something had definitely changed but they weren't quite sure what it was.
Hal and Cal were wondering if Stephanie was no longer the bossman's woman and they'd missed it along with their chance to ask her out.
Hector wondered if his Angelita had finally gotten tired of the bullshit with the boss and saw how Lester had been treating her the way she always deserved to be treated. He hoped so and knew the trip to Boston would be very interesting.
Ranger and Tank entered the room and the meeting was called to order.
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Stephanie had already told Lester that Ranger wanted to speak to her after the meeting, and that she'd see him before he left for his trip.
Ranger left the conference room and she followed him to his office aware of the eyes on her as they left the room. Steph entered the office and sat down on the couch as Ranger shut the door behind them and walked across the room to join her.
He sat down, took her hand in his and began, "Babe, I know I haven't said and done things the right way, but I want us to be together and have a relationship," Ranger looked in her eyes hoping she would give him a chance.
Stephanie saw the emotion in his eyes, for once Ranger wasn't hiding behind a blank face, and once upon a time, it might have been enough for her. "Why now, Ranger? What is different this time that you are saying this?"
"What do you mean this time, Steph?"
"I mean that you've had your opportunities with me before, Ranger, why is it different this time? Why are you saying this? Is it because the guys…no not the guys…Is it because Les kicked your ass? Why are you saying this now, after all these years?" she couldn't suppress the tear that escaped from her eye.
Ranger reached over and wiped the tear from her eye, "I've always wanted a relationship with you, Babe, you've ended it with Morelli, so there is nothing to stop us now."
Stephanie sighed, released Ranger's hand from her own and got up to pace the room. Ranger knew that Stephanie pacing didn't bode well for him from the night before.
After a minute or so, Stephanie got a grasp on her thoughts and what she wanted to say, "So, let me get this straight, you've always wanted a relationship with me but you haven't said that because of Joe?" Stephanie was incredulous. "That makes no sense, Ranger! My relationship with Joe never stopped you from poaching! It never stopped you from kissing me in the alley! Hell, after the deal you told me to FIX my relationship with Morelli! If you wanted a relationship then, why the fuck would you do that?" Stephanie couldn't contain the tears that began rolling down her cheeks as she continued to pace.
"Babe, I have always felt like it would put you in danger if we had a relationship. I told you to fix things with Morelli because of that, but a part of me wanted you to choose me. I wanted to know that you didn't want to go back to him. I wanted you to get mad at me and tell me you didn't want to fix things with him," Ranger explained softly. He hated to see the tears on her face knowing he was the cause.
"For someone so smart, you can be really stupid, Ranger," Stephanie sighed. "We had just spent the night together, and when you told me to fix things with Morelli it felt like a rejection. I felt like I wasn't good enough to be with you! Why would I think any different? You told me that your life doesn't lend itself to relationships, your love doesn't come with a ring but a condom would come in handy, and my favorite that you don't do stupid things like marriage and babies. Why would I think you were an option for a relationship at that point?"
"I know, Steph, and I can't tell you how sorry I am for all of those stupid things I've said to you. Will you give me a chance to make it up to you? Please, Babe?" Ranger implored.
"Why should I, Ranger? Give me one good reason," Stephanie asked as she wiped the tears away.
Ranger stood up, went to Stephanie and cupped her face with his hands, "I love you, Stephanie."
"I love you too, Ranger," Stephanie took a step back and began pacing again, "but I don't know if it is enough. I have been thinking a lot about what I want in a relationship, and I was serious last night when I said you need to communicate with me more. Can you do that?"
Ranger nodded.
"OK, then tell me something I don't know about you. It can be anything," Stephanie watched Ranger waiting for his answer.
Ranger thought for a few minutes, "I like to read."
"What do you read? Are we talking military strategy or have you read fun stuff, like Harry Potter?" she asked.
"I read pretty much everything, including Harry Potter, and well, I can't believe I'm going to admit this, but I even read Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey," Ranger tried not blush at his admission.
Stephanie tried hard to stifle her giggle at Ranger's reading choices. "Twilight? That isn't very badass, Batman," as the laughter finally escaped.
"Did I just ruin my image with you, Babe?" Ranger smiled.
"Nah, and don't worry, your reading choices are safe with me," Stephanie smiled back. "Thanks for telling me that though. As for giving us a chance, let's see how things go for the next few weeks. While you're in Boston we'll talk and you can show me how it would be if we were in a relationship and you were away. Sound fair?"
"Yes, it does. I'll miss you, Babe," Ranger pulled her to him and gave her a light kiss on the lips. He knew better than to try for a more passionate kiss as he didn't want to push his luck with Stephanie right now.
"I'll miss you too, Ranger. Have a good trip," Ranger watched as she left his office feeling a little more hopeful that maybe things would work out the way they were meant to.
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Les had just returned to his office and was bent over putting his bags down when he heard his favorite voice in the world.
"Nice view there, Sexy," Stephanie gave Les a wolf grin when he turned around to look at her as she closed the door.
"Like what you see, Baby?" Les wiggled his eyebrows at her with a smile.
"I do, and I'm pretty sure you could take over the title of Hottest Ass in Trenton," Stephanie laughed as she sat down in the guest chair.
"Thanks, for the compliment," Les walked to the chair and kissed her on the cheek. "So, how did your talk with Ranger go?" he asked as he sat down behind his desk.
"Fine, he wants to have a relationship with me and said he loves me," Steph saw the pained look cross Les' face. "I told him that I'm not sure. I said we could talk while he was in Boston, and I could see what it would be like to be in a relationship with him while he's away," she shrugged.
"You don't seem to be excited about it, Beautiful. I thought you wanted to have a relationship with Ranger," Les locked his gaze with hers.
"Maybe I'm not sure that is what I want. Maybe I'm not sure Ranger can be the type of man I need in a relationship," Steph replied as she maintained eye contact with him.
"Last night, before Ranger showed up, you were going to tell me something. What was it, Beautiful?" Les asked quietly.
"I told you last night that I'd been really thinking and evaluating my life and what I want and need from a relationship. I said that I was tired of letting others dictate my life with their expectations and that I have let the men in my life treat me in ways that were less than what I deserve. What I didn't get a chance to tell you was that I realized that the way you've been treating me is the way I want to be treated when I'm in a relationship," Steph replied still holding Les' gaze.
Lester could feel his heart rate rise as he decided to lay it all on the line, "What if I told you that I want to be the man who treats you the way you deserve in a relationship? Could I have the same opportunity as Ranger while I'm in Boston? Can I show you what it would be like to be in a relationship with me while I'm out of town?"
Stephanie smiled and said, "Yes."
Lester grinned as his phone rang, "Yo….OK, I'll meet you in the garage in 5," he hung up the phone, stood up, walked over to Stephanie and took her hand in his. Pulling her up from the chair, he wrapped her in his arms, "Good. I'm going to give you a goodbye kiss now, Baby. Because there is no way in hell I'd go out of town without kissing my girl."
Stephanie smiled as Les lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her softly. She moaned at the feeling of Les' lips on hers as she pulled him closer to her to deepen the kiss. His tongue sought entrance into her mouth and she freely gave it. Lester gently explored her mouth enjoying her sweet taste.
After a minute or so, he broke away and looked into her eyes, "I'm sorry, Baby, but I have to go. I'll miss you and I'll call you later," with a quick kiss to her lips, Lester turned, grabbed his bags, looked at her once more with a smile and left his office.
Stephanie just stood there for several minutes, tracing her lips with her finger, too stunned to move.
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Hector, Lester and Ranger arrived at the airfield and boarded the smaller Rangeman Cessna instead of the jet. They stowed their bags and buckled themselves in as Ace, the Rangeman pilot, finished his pre-takeoff checklist.
The men sat in silence for awhile after takeoff. Hector was sitting next to Les in the aisle seat and Ranger was in the lone seat on the other side. He noticed that both Ranger and Lester had slight smirks on their faces which on other men would qualify as huge smiles. He wondered what was going on. Hector figured he'd find out soon enough, neither Ranger nor Les had any idea he was fluent in English. The only person at Rangeman who knew his secret was his Angelita. Hector sat back in his seat and smiled to himself.
"Babe and I talked after the meeting this morning. She agreed to give a relationship with me a try," Ranger said looking at his cousin's face to see his reaction to this news.
"Really?" Les asked with his blank face on then and then mumbled to himself, "That's not exactly how I heard it."
Hector heard Lester's mumbled words and covered his grin by biting his lip. "Les, what has you so happy today, my friend?"
"A beautiful lady told me she'd give me an opportunity to show her what a relationship with me would be like while I was on a business trip. It made my day, my friend. Thanks for asking," Les replied.
"Did you kiss the beautiful lady goodbye?" Hector asked in his best innocent voice.
"Of course, I'd never leave town without kissing the beautiful lady goodbye quite thoroughly. I'm pretty sure I left her a bit stunned," Les said with full on smile.
"Good for you, my friend," Hector replied with a matching smile.
"Fuck," Ranger shook his head and remained silent for the rest of the flight.