Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! For those that have Private messages turned off that left Reviews thank you for the reviews! I love reading every one of them so keep them coming.

I want to Thank Margaret Fowler for encouraging this story out of me. When I mentioned it to you 6 – 7 months ago you didn't let it die in my head. You kept pressing for it so here it is finally being written! I hope it is everything you thought it would be.

Standard Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine. They belong to JE I just take them out of the box and play with them a little. I have begged to keep Ranger and Lester for myself but I have yet to get a response…

Chapter 10: Restarting of Hearts

RPOV

I had watched them roll her away and it was all I could do to stand in one spot and let them take her away from me. I wanted to be closer to her. I needed to be closer to her. I briefly thought how fucked up my mind had become on this last mission and wondered if I would be calling a therapist in to talk to. I hated that shit. I hated to show weakness in having to talk through my feelings and emotions to get my head on back on fucking straight. It wouldn't be the first time but it I still hated it.

I knew I was dealing with some form of post traumatic stress and I was allowing this woman who reminded me of the woman's life I took during the mission to fill the missing piece in me. But I wasn't willing to admit that to anyone else. I knew once I worked through the issues I had I would be able to let her go just like every other woman in my life.

I never had an issue letting go.

I paced the room like a caged tiger waiting to hear anything. I wanted to go join Tank in the waiting room but the less he saw of this side of me the better. I didn't need his fucking questions or his judgmental glances.

I had already seen them; I already had them I didn't need anything more from him to let me know how truly fucked up my mind was at the moment.

I finally couldn't take the pacing anymore what the fucked had I turned into someone who worries over a woman. I mean I wasn't a fucking marshmallow. I was a fucking man who had his balls and was in charge of them. I threw open the door like taking it off of its hinges causing Ram and Vince both to jump at the sudden movement and loud banging sound as the door's handle probably went through the cheap fucking sheet rock on the wall it bounced off of.

I smiled inwardly at scaring them they should have been more prepared. I gave them both a look that told them of my disproval of them jumping like fucking school girls who had just had a bug thrown their directions; pussies. I didn't say a word, just continued my stride forward in search of Tank. I needed answers.

I had a set my don't fuck with me look on my face and it must be working as it had people moving out of my way as I made my way down the hall. I inwardly smiled at how much better this felt than pacing that fucking room with the thoughts of her bounding around off of the walls.

I breathed in deep and let it out slowly and those around me that heard moved further away. This I knew, this I could relate to, this I enjoyed and even loved to a degree. This was me the man who was dangerous the man who was lethal the man who should be feared; the soldier.

I finally turned the corner and as soon as Tank saw me he was in motion meeting me half way across the room. He knew I was there for answers and I could tell by the look on his face he had some. Maybe not everything I wanted but some.

"They took her to surgery. A rib had damaged her lung and they need to fix the internal bleeding." I told him and he nodded not asking anything further.

"The documents you requested are ready if you should need them. I will have them delivered here so if it becomes a question I will have them ready to file with the hospital." He told me. I nodded.

"Go ahead and file them like we have with every one of our employees. Just explain she is a newly hired employee and we hadn't had a chance to file the paper work." I told him. He paused for a moment looking at me and he nodded. I am not sure what he was looking for or what fucking question he just answered but I let it slide. There were certain things I wasn't ready to discuss with him or anyone else at the moment so the less that was brought up the better.

"What have you learned so far?" I asked him and he shook his head; nothing. I wanted to slam my fist into his fucking gut but I refrained. I briefly wondered what the fuck had he been doing all this time. I wondered if he had been out here sitting on his God damn thumbs instead doing what I had told him.

"Rangeman I have people researching but they haven't gotten back with me. Lester is doing a background check and then he is going to be searching her home. As soon as they know something they will let me know and I will let you know." He told me. I breathed in deeply and slowly let it out allowing the air flowing through my nose to calm the monster within me that was readying itself for the hunt, the fight, and ultimately the kill.

My eyes briefly flashed and I was more in control than I had been my patience allowing him more time to find the information I so desperately wanted to know. I wanted to know more about the woman that was lying in the operating room, the woman who had been lying unconscious before me, the woman whose path had gotten dangerously tangled with mine when she ran in front of me and I hit her totaling both of our cars.

I looked back at Tank and I nodded letting him know that I was for now accepting his half assed fucking excuses for not having the information I requested when I requested it and turned to head back to the room. I knew I would return to pacing and I knew where my thoughts would return while I was waiting for her to be returned to me but for now I had held them off as long as they were willing to be held off.

I slammed my blank face down as I made my way down the hallway watching people move for me once again brought an inward smile. I had no doubts Ram and Vince would still be standing guard when I got back to the door. I was glad to see that they had not disappointed me. Walking up to them I decided to give them a little break.

"One at a time take a break, get something to drink, something eat, sit for a few minutes. I don't know how long she will be in OR but until she gets back I will be in the room so one of you can take a break until then. When she comes back or wherever they put her I want you both on her door at all times from them on. If you need relief you know to call someone else to relieve you until your shift is over." I told them making it extremely clear what I expected and they nodded.

I knew they understood and I knew my orders would be carried out no questions asked. This may be a democratic country but Rangeman wasn't run like that. I was the head and they followed my fucking orders like it or not. If not they dealt with the consequences which was my wrath.

I walked back into the room and attempted to sit back down in the seat by the window but I couldn't force myself to sit. I wasn't ready to sit so the pacing began. I was considering no news good news at this point but I wasn't happy about it.

BPOV

Fuck, we have been in the OR for twenty minutes we make the first cut to access her lung and she fucking crashes. I knew it was risky with her numbers we all knew that but I hadn't told Ranger how risky it was. I knew she had to be fixed and this was the only way so it was sort of a catch twenty-two thing.

He didn't need to know the risks. I didn't promise to save her life on purpose because I wasn't sure I could I only promised to do everything I could do and I was fucking trying. She wasn't playing along but I was trying in spite of her to save her life. Not only for her but at this point it was just as much for Ranger.

I was doing chest compressions trying to restart her heart while they were getting the crash cart loaded. Once they yelled clear I cleared back and they pressed the paddles to her chest and pushed the button. Her little body jolted up off of the bed and fell back down. But her heart failed to restart.

I quickly upped the wattage to what the doctor called out and he once again put the paddles to her chest and pushed the button. Her body once again jumped up off of the bed and shook this time slightly more violently as the wattage was higher. I couldn't help but close my eyes and send a prayer up that we didn't have to up it anymore. The thought wasn't out of my mind well before I heard the faint beat of her heart restarting; thank fuck.

I didn't want to have to face Ranger and tell him that we had lost her on the table. I wasn't certain if the hospital would survive if that were to happen. It might happen before this was over but I was going to do everything under my power to see that it didn't happen at least not on my watch, and this was definitely my watch. He had trusted me with her. I could see in his eyes what that meant what it was costing him and I didn't want to let him down.

Once we had her stabilized we continued with the surgery. The rib had punctured the lung but I had seen worse. It was really only superficial just enough for surgery but thankfully it hadn't punctured the lung all the way through. Had it I doubted she would have lasted this long.

The Surgeon and I got working and before long the bleeding had been stopped and the lung repaired. She was going to be sore for some time. We set the rib back in place and once she was stitched up we would brace the whole area to help hold the rib in place until it had time to start the healing process.

There was no getting around the pain other than just pain medication and limited movement for the time being. But with her arm and leg broken I doubt there would be much movement for a while.

I briefly wondered how she would be when she woke up if she would want my help or if she would turn it down and I smiled thinking how Ranger would deal with her if she refused him. Maybe there was something to look forward to after all.

I closed her up careful to place the stitches close together in small stitches to limit the scaring but she was going to have a scar there was no getting around the scar it just wouldn't be as bad as if I allowed them to staple her or one of the others in the room were to stitch her up.

I wanted to go out and be with Ranger when the Doctor's went out to talk to him but I promised I wouldn't leave her. I knew the protocol was to take her to recovery but I also knew that Ranger would never allow that. I didn't even need to ask him to know what he would say.

RPOV

I had been pacing when I heard footsteps nearing the room from the back hallway. I stilled myself ready for whatever was necessary. I knew that only hospital staff had access to that back hallway but I also knew how easy it was to pay your way through their protocols. Hell I had done it for all of Rangeman. You want something you fucking lined the hand of the person that could give you what you wanted. I wasn't a fool as to how business was run and even though it is a hospital it is a business just like every other fucking business.

When your money built addition wings, buildings, and bought state of the art equipment they rarely if ever told you no or weren't able work out something agreeable for all parties.

I had my hand near my gun on the off chance I would need it. Some may say I am paranoid some may even classify me a little psycho maybe they were right but I preferred to look at it as I have fucking lived this long with the enemies I had. It wasn't because I took unnecessary chances and was callous with own safety.

I was never not aware of my surroundings; ever. There was knock on the door and I told whoever it was to enter with my hand on my gun. I was more at rest once I heard the knock as I doubt my enemies would knock and further alert me but never being one to take unnecessary chances I had pulled my gun and was holding it by my side. Ready if needed.

The doctor walked in and I was glad not to see Brown. I took it to mean he was with Stephanie. He walked up to me "Ranger she pulled through and we will be moving her to recovery shortly. Once we move her to a room you will be able to see her again." He stated as if I would have no say or no concern over his choice. He should know better.

"She is to come back here if you need someone to sit with her you fucking pull them. I can't protect her from danger in recovery it's too open, too many people coming and going. Someone could slip in." I told him. Not accepting his little decision that he had made without discussing this with any of us. He started to open his mouth again to refute me. Little did he know I was ready for his explanations.

"Doctor standard Rangeman protocol is to be maintained when my people have surgery they come back here so they can be protected. They are unable to protect themselves they need protection. Need I remind you the enemies I have. Need I remind you what could happen if these protocols aren't followed and need I remind you what I am willing to do to you if something happens to her? now is not the time to fuck with me, or risk her life and by not bringing her back here to this room where I and my men can protect her in my eyes you are risking her life." I told him. I saw him shake and take a big swallow of fear. I dialed it back a notch I didn't want him pissing himself.

He nodded. "You should know that things didn't go so well on the table. She coded and we had to jump start her heart to get it beating again. She needs to be monitored closely I am not sure her needs can be met in this room." He said. I knew that was bull shit. This room had everything and anything you would need to monitor anyone in the hospital. If it didn't I would see to it that it had what it needed before I left here.

"If it doesn't have something it needs then I suggest you procure whatever you need because she comes back here and she will be monitored by whatever she needs. I am holding you personally accountable if I lose her because of your incompetence you will fucking answer for it." I told him. I didn't have to elaborate how he would answer only that he would. I was pretty sure at this point it would be with his fucking life.

He paled slightly and then nodded. We had picked these team of doctors because they were the best but sometimes in them being the best they thought they knew what was best and had to be reminded of our protocols and procedures and how they were to be maintained and followed at all times and at all costs. When you added her to the mix it became even more important.

I would analyze my comments about her to the doctor later once I knew she was safely back within the walls of this room. I felt the tiger within me twitch as I started once again pacing the room; waiting.

BPOV

We were in the OR room and we were waiting for the doctor to come back before moving her. I already knew where we were going but I allowed him to have his little bit of fun just to see what Ranger was going to do. I guess I wasn't surprised when the Doctor walked back into the OR room freshly gowned, gloved, fresh shoe and hair covers and announced we were moving her to the room we had came from. I noted his slightly paler color and I wondered what demon within Ranger had he faced and lived to tell about it.

"We need to get the monitoring equipment and I need to pull a nurse from recovery." He said and I nodded my head.

"You get whatever piece of equipment you need for monitoring but I will monitor her and watch her until she wakes up, if she wakes up." I added knowing that she was unconscious when we started and she may remain unconscious until her body has the juice it needs to wake back up.

The human body needs certain things to be a certain way in order for you to maintain consciousness and right now her body wasn't where it needed to be. It was too depleted to reboot so to speak. It would be like trying to start up a computer without the hard drive. Will it turn on? Yes. Will it do anything? Not really. Not with some sort of device to boot off of nothing really happens. Well when a person's PH levels are off that is essentially what happens, the body is on in that you are breathing, you are living but you don't function; you can't wake up.

Until her numbers were more in the normal range and her ph levels were more neutral would she actually be able wake up.

We moved her to the bed from the operating table and in picking her up I couldn't help but feel how light she really is. It isn't like she weighs nothing. I mean you say ninety eight pounds and you think a hundred pounds but when you pick her up the realization of how tiny she really hits you. We carefully laid her on the bed and then set the wheels in motion moving her back to the room.

I looked down and saw the tubes attached to her and I knew Ranger wouldn't understand all of the tubes when he first saw her. Hopefully he would give me the opportunity to explain them before jumping to conclusions and acting without thinking. Acting without thinking wasn't something Ranger ever did until today. I once again found myself wondering what the fuck had happened to him on the mission.

Nearing the room I looked at the members of the team walking with me and I just hoped they were safe walking in there with her like this.

I walked up and knocked on the door and I heard him say "Enter". I knew he was going to be ready with gun in hand. I didn't comment I figured he would holster his gun fast enough and hopefully the others wouldn't even be paying attention. The woman held their attention as they continued to fiddle with her as we made our way down the hall and into the room.

Ranger's eyes met mine and I knew explanations were necessary. I left her to walk up to him while the rest of the team busied themselves with getting her hooked back up to monitors and various machines. Oxygen, heart monitor, vitals machines, etc.

"Man she coded in the OR about twenty minutes in but we were able to bring her back. We were able to complete the procedure and she should have a full recovery. The tubes are just to help her breathe while her lungs get a jump start on recovering. The rest is cables and things for monitoring or what she already had prior to the OR. The brace is for the broken rib to help support it so it will heal correctly. Besides that the only additional monitor is the heart monitor that is reporting data to the heart center, as well as the ER station, and I will remain in the room with her until we are certain we won't have another occurrence of her heart stopping." I told him.

His eyes had never left her the whole time I was talking to him and I was wonder if he even realized that from the time we had stepped back into the room he hadn't broken eye contact with her. He nodded letting me know he had heard what I had said but he didn't say anything.

Ranger was never one to mix words with but it was odd that he didn't have something to say especially after everything I had told him. I expected some reaction from him other than no eye contact and a simple nod of his head. His eyes gave nothing away as they were locked on the woman lying unconscious in the bed.

I couldn't help but wonder yet again what it was about the woman that had Ranger tied up to the point that he couldn't pull his eyes away from her, or fucking speak. Damn I didn't talk much but even I knew it was fucking rude not to speak to someone that had spoken to you. My momma taught me that and I was pretty sure Ranger's mother taught him that too. But I wasn't fucking dumb enough to ask him at least not today.

I walked back over to the woman double checking what they had done to make sure everything was right. Once I was satisfied it was, and that we had done all that we could do and there was nothing left to do. I decided to take a seat in the chair and just wait, watch, and see what was going to happen. It was out of our hands at this point. I briefly looked over at Ranger and wondered what this would mean for him.

RPOV

Fuck, I heard the footsteps and the wheels of the bed and I knew they were bringing her back. Part of me was glad to see her again. See her hair, her fair skin, her small little body. To know that she was still alive and that she was still with me. I knew I needed to address the second part of that sentence at some point but right now wasn't the time. I didn't have time before they would be in the room with her.

I heard the knock at the door and I told them to enter even though I made sure I was ready just on the off chance it wasn't who I thought it was. But it was her, the team and Bobby that walked into the room. The team immediately got started hooking up to the various machines and I couldn't help but stare at her.

She looked so small she had tubes and cables connected to her, she had a brace on, and she had a tube in her mouth. If possible it looked like her size had reduced from the time she had left the room. I knew it wasn't possible but it looked as though it had. My eyes caught Bobby but only by chance he happened to look at me right when he crossed my gaze that had been locked on her from the moment she walked into the room.

I wasn't able to shift my focus away from her. He walked over to me and after I heard she coded on the table I vaguely remember hearing about the tubes and the brace. Fuck I could have lost her and I didn't even fucking know her. How is it possible that I am feeling this shit I am feeling for a woman I didn't even know. This mission had fucked me up and those mother fuckers that caused it got off too easy. I should have slit their throats in that room.

Had I known then what I know now those fuckers would have never made it to draw another breath in. I didn't realize how their little stunt had truly fucked up my head. But with each moment I stared at her unable to release my eyes from her I was beginning to wonder if there wasn't more to this whole thing.

Immediately refusing to focus on that thought I shifted my thoughts back to how I was going to further seek revenge for what they had fucking put me through and had caused. Now I had a woman that I couldn't seem to walk away from because she asked me for my help, all because of their shit.

I saw Bobby's irritation in my peripheral vision when I realized I had just nodded that I heard him but I hadn't really heard him my thoughts were all over the place on anything other than what he was saying. Not that I would admit that to him by asking him to repeat what he had just said. I let him walk away annoyed with me so long as he took care of her and did whatever it was she needed so she could continue to live I didn't give a fuck if he was annoyed with me, pissed at me, or wanted to fucking kill me. He'd fucking get over it or he wouldn't but he sure as fuck wouldn't be stupid enough to say anything to my face or do anything about it.

This wasn't about me this was about her. She was all that mattered at the moment and I was going to have to figure out how to come to terms with these feelings and how to walk away from them because I always walked away. This time would be no different I just needed to figure out how. I just needed to figure out how to help her and then I would be able to let her go and walk away.

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