Gaining Forward Momentum

This takes place after Dancing Outside the Lines.

Thank you so much for all the positive feedback and nice reviews you've posted for this story. I really appreciate it. You guys are the best :)

M Rating

Extra special thanks to Margaret for reading this through first and deeming it good to go :). Thank you Margaret :)

I don't own the characters, just taking them for a spin :)

Reviews and suggestions are always welcome.

Chapter 10 — Rex to the Rescue

"And I have another idea," Lula continued, "but I'm gonna need your help. I wanna take a picture of Rex in his soup can. He's always been in a Campbell's soup can and I'm gonna give him his own little area, 'Soup fit for a King.' I'll see what other kings I can come up with, but right now Rex gets center stage. I want people to send in pictures of how they recycle their cans and we can post them.

"That's a great idea. And Rex would love his fifteen minutes of fame."

"Your ass it's a good idea. It just came to me this morning."

While Lula and I were talking about her social media and viral ideas, Tank and Carlos were talking in much lower tones and I knew they were having a serious discussion. It had to be serious to get Carlos out in the hall with a walker. I wanted to 'listen' to their conversation but I knew if I asked once we got back to our room, Carlos would probably tell me.

"I think you should show your Facebook page to Hector," I said to Lula instead, to get my mind off of Tank and Carlos' conversation. "He's probably still in class, but he'll get back to you during his break."

"Without going live or showing him my laptop, I don't know how to get it to him."

"Just email him a screensnap. Even if he has to piece a couple of pages together to get the scroll, he'll be able to figure it out."

"Ok." Lula started screensnapping and emailing sections of her page to Hector.

"Tell him your Rex idea too, he'll like it."

"Maybe he can get Ella to let him into your apartment on seven so he can take a picture of Rex in his can for me?"

"Ask him. I'll text Ella now and let her know so she'll be expecting to hear from him."

Right after Lula emailed off her third screensnap to Hector, my phone dinged that I had a text. It was the man himself.

HECTOR: "I get Lula's emails. I really like what she did."

STEPHPLUM: "Aren't you in class today?"

HECTOR: "Class is cancelled until you and Lula get back. Bobby said we graduating early anyway, so it's ok to miss a few days."

STEPHPLUM: "We're graduating early?"

HECTOR: "Sí, we weeks ahead of schedule. We all getting A's :)"

STEPHPLUM: "U sure?"

HECTOR: "Sí. Can you and Lula conference call? I have idea for her page."

STEPHPLUM: "Give us a few minutes 2 go 2 Carlos' room so we won't disturb them."

"Lula, that was Hector, he wants us to get on a conference call with him. I told him we'd do it next door."

"Ok, let's go."

"Carlos, Lula and I are going into your room so we can talk to Hector. Stay here and I'll come and get you when we're done."

"Tank and I still have some things to discuss. Take your time."

"White girl, do you know what he wants?"

"He said he really liked your page and just had an idea."

Once we got to my room, I pulled up my laptop. I figured Skype was the easier way to do this so we could see each other while we talked. I called up Hector and Lula got her Campbell's FB page up on her laptop. I threw her a pad and pen so she could take notes.

"I like everyting," Hector began. "I especially like idea of people submitting pictures of how they recycle their soup cans. I like to see Rex's picture more toward top. It will have stopping power. People will look. I suggest swapping Rex with recipes. Everyone have recipes. Not a lot of people have a hamster in a chicken noodle soup can. I ask Ella if I can take picture. She say to give her half an hour, she needs to get lunch set up in the breakroom first." He paused before he continued. "This is really great work Lula."

"You think this shit comes easy? I told you. I'm a social media whiz."

It was hard for Lula to take praise, but I could see she was happy that her ideas were so well received.

"I'll email you Rex's picture once I have it. Bobby needs me to go out and fix a camera at Bristol-Myers. I be back in an hour or so. Great job. We talk later."

I disconnected from Hector and shut my laptop. We went back into Tank's room and they were still talking in low, serious tones. I guessed they both had a lot of ideas they needed to discuss.

"Babe, everything ok?" Carlos asked, noticing we were back.

"Did you know we're graduating early?" I replied remembering Hector's text.

"I knew that was a possibility when we brought Marcia and Antonio in to work with the three of you in such an intimate setting. I didn't realize you already completed most of your requirements though, it's only been about seven weeks."

"That's what Bobby told Hector. And he said we're all getting A's."

"Good for you. Are you ready to go back to our room? I want to call Bobby and I think I've overtaxed my leg. I'm going to need a shot after all."

Well at least he admitted it. And I could see the pain on his face. He was hurting.

I unfolded his walker for him and placed it in front of him so he could get out of the chair. While he was standing I put the other hospital gown that I brought with us over him backwards to cover his exposed ass. We said goodbye to Tank and Lula and we took to the hall again.

I helped Carlos sit down on the bed. I took the walker from him and folded it up and leaned it against the wall. It was within Carlos' reach if he felt motivated or for when his physical therapist came back later. I went out to the nurses' station and let the nurse on duty know that Carlos was in pain and asking for a shot. She said someone would be in shortly.

When I came back into the room he was on his phone. He had a strange look on his face and all I heard him say was, "Are you sure?" "Ok, well let me know what you two decide."

You two? I wondered who he was talking to.

I didn't have to wonder for too long. He put his phone down and turned to look at me. "That was my sister Lauren. Her and Brett are pregnant."

"Are they happy about it? Are they going to get married?"

"She just found out, she's in a state of shock. She didn't even tell Brett yet, she asked what I thought she should do. That's their decision, not mine. I wasn't going there. They seem to love one another, but their relationship is pretty new. I have no idea what they'll decide."

"Your sister told me they've loved each another for five years. That's not a new relationship. Do you think they'll keep the baby?"

"But it was five years while my sister was in a committed lesbian relationship. They weren't together as lovers. I don't know what I would do in her shoes. She's not a very religious person. She's kind of spirtitual, but not religious. I guess they will have to talk about it and come to some kind of a decision."

We would have been facing a similar decision had Kraven not played God and interfered. It bothered me that Brett said he was distanced from his family. I got the feeling he didn't have anyone to talk this over with but Lauren or maybe someone he was close to at Rangeman. I wasn't even sure who his Rangeman friends were; he always worked nights. I hoped they'd make the best decision for them. And I wondered why she had called Carlos and not their mom or one of her sisters. Then I had the answer. It was because Carlos and Rachel had gone through a similar thing.

"Babe, don't try to solve their problems for them. Is the nurse bringing me a shot?"

"I'm sorry Carlos, that was just something I wasn't expecting to hear. Yes, the nurse said someone would be right in. Are you ok? You never complain about pain."

"I probably overdid it. I'll be fine."

"What were you and Tank discussing?" I asked, figuring I'd distract him with conversation until the nurse got the shot ready for him.

"We want to meet with Jason and see what he remembers, but Tank is also leary of him. He thought of the four of us, Jason was the most secretive and standoffish. Tank thinks there may be something that he's hiding. That's why I wanted to talk to Bobby. I'd like to run a search on him before we start asking questions."

"I have my laptop and all my search programs here, I can do it for you."

"Rangeman can get his military records. You wouldn't be able to access those, but thank you for asking."

"Did you call Bobby?"

"I was going to when Lauren called. I'll wait till after the nurse comes in. He or she would be Jason's nurse too and I don't want it known that we are investigating him. And I don't want Jason to pick up on anything either. The less everyone but us knows the better."

"I have your shot, Mr. Manoso," his nurse said entering the room with a syringe in his hand. "Could you lay down on your side, I need to give it to you in your buttocks."

Carlos winced as he maneuvered himself into position. I got another view of his perfect ass and thought for a minute about sinking my teeth into it. Then I remembered where we were. Stephanie, Stephanie, Stephanie.

"You should feel better in a few minutes," his nurse said, capping the needle and ejecting it into the hazardous waste bin. "I'll be back to do my rounds in about forty-five minutes," he said looking at his watch. "Then I'll take care of your wounds. Feel better."

"Thank you."

Carlos rolled over onto his back and retrieved his phone from the top of the small bed table that was next to him. "Bobby, can you do me a favor?"

Carlos then asked him to run a search on Jason Wright and also on Rick Wakeland, the other ex-special forces guy who was killed by the bomb. I was surprised by his second request, but I was sure there was a reason for it. Carlos looked like he was ready to hang up, but I saw him stall for a second, then put the phone on speaker so I could hear what Bobby was saying.

"We got a name on that guy that Ram pulled out of your room. Salvatore La Rocco. He's another CIA, Special Activities Division guy. Remember Agent Malone told us that Briggs hired him and Cagiano to find you?"

"Yes, I remember. He told us when we had him shackled in a cell at Rangeman."

"Right. Well obviously Briggs hired more than Malone and Cagiano. La Rocco had been working with the two of them."

"Had been, as in the past?"

"Yes, as in the past. Maybe present. We can't access any current information, but to me the link is good enough to say he probably still is. The thing that makes me really want to give this extra thought though is that Special Activities Division guys don't usually get caught. And we've caught two of them."

"I wondered about that when we caught Malone. I mean why would he shoot a Rangeman Security guard? He had to have known we'd get him?"

"Right, almost seems too coincidental. I'd really watch your back."

"Well right now there are guards outside of my room and Tank's, so I'd like to think we're safe. And Cal and Ram have been taking the night shift. I trust them with my life."

"Think I'd like to send down Hector and Manny. Hector is not a big guy so he won't stand out like Cal, but he's just as deadly…maybe more so."

"I think Hector is a good idea. Convince me about Manny."

"Manny is more intuitive than a lot of the guys. He's very smart. He's just been in some very unfortunate situations."

"Unfortunate situations that almost cost him his life. Do we dare risk that again?"

"Neither of those instances were his fault. He thought Scroggs was you and let his guard down and Garcia's thugs ambushed him. Both Garcia and Pearce are dead, so the disgruntled ex-Rangeman employee angle shouldn't be a problem anymore. I think we're dealing with a personal grudge. Briggs seems to have it in for you and will stop at nothing until he gets you. Perhaps Tank too. I think Manny's smarts will be invaluable."

I was nodding yes. I'd had Manny guard me many times over the last few years and he was a hard one to give the slip. Bobby was right; he was smart and intuitive. Carlos finally caught my exuberant nod and looked at me. I whispered, "Yes, take Manny."

"Ok Bobby, you and Steph just convinced me, Hector and Manny it is."

I was happy. Hector and Manny would be the perfect second team. We wouldn't need to rely on contract workers, no matter how well we knew them. Manny and Hector along with Ram and Cal were forces not to be reckoned with.

And speak of the devil again. My phone dinged with a text from Hector. It was a picture of Rex in his can. He looked very cute. Somehow Hector got him to pose with his head sticking out of the chicken noodle can instead of his butt. I hoped Rex didn't bite Hector. He usually didn't like to be handled for too long.

STEPHPLUM: "Cute. How did you get him to pose with his head out?"

HECTOR: "I put him in butt first."

STEPHPLUM: "And he didn't bite you?"

HECTOR: "Ella and I gave him cheerios and blueberries. He was happy."

STEPHPLUM: "Did you send this to Lula?"

HECTOR: "Sí. Manny and I coming down to you. We can work when I off duty. We have a noon flight. I see you around 1."

STEPHPLUM: "I know :) See you when you get here."

"Carlos, look at this picture Hector just sent me."

"Rex in his…soup can. Is Lula using this?"

"Yep, it's her new idea. She wants people to send in pictures of how they recycle their soup cans. And she wants to feature Rex."

"It's brilliant. She's certainly surprised me. By the way, Tank told me that she's lost seventy pounds. She looks good. Maybe we can start introducing her to our clients as our social media director. She really does seem to have propensity for it."

"I know. I'm proud of her too. How are you feeling? Did your shot kick in yet?"

"Babe, come here." Yep his shot kicked in and he wanted me close. I sat down on the side of the bed and carefully tucked myself in next to him. I knew we'd be bothered soon. His nurse told us he'd be back. But in the meantime, it felt good to get close to Carlos.

Carlos took full advantage of the situation and began kissing and nibbling my neck. It's one of my most favorite things that he does to me and I felt my body begin to respond to him. "Carlos, you're making me crazy," I whispered.

"That's the point," he said, moving his hand to my breast and lightly running his fingers over my nipple.

He had moved himself onto his side, his good leg against the mattress and I could feel him harden behind me. I hadn't had sex in three weeks, so my body was really craving his. I wondered if we could do it in this little bed without anyone hearing us. We were under the covers, so even if someone came in, they wouldn't actually know what we were doing.

I unzipped my jeans and wiggled my pants down so we could be skin to skin. Well skin to hospital gown. I managed to get his gown up so I could feel his erect penis on my ass. God he felt so good.

"Babe do you want this too?" he asked moving his hand from my breast to my vagina. I'm sure he could feel how ready I was for him.

"Mmmm Carlos, yes. Oh God, do I ever want you."

And then he was inside of me. We are usually very active in our lovemaking, but this was different. I could feel him hitting my g-spot but he wasn't thrusting all that hard. His hand was still on my clit and I felt my orgasm building. He thrust into me once a little harder and I felt us both go over together. It was beautiful.

"Oh God, I love you so much Carlos," I said when I could.

"Dios Babe. You felt so good, I couldn't hold out any longer. I love you too."

We just stayed like that for a few minutes, with Carlos still inside of me. God, it felt so good to just be joined with him again.

I didn't want his nurse to catch us like this, so I got up and went into his bathroom to clean up. When I came out, his nurse was in the room. I'm sure Carlos' bed smelled like sex, but he didn't say anything. He had the French salve and clean bandages with him, as well as a couple of fresh hospital gowns and clean sheets.

He was changing the dressing on Carlos' shrapnel wounds and I leaned in to see how they looked. His nurse pointed out one of the larger ones that was closing up.

"They look really good, I don't think he's going to have much scarring at all. I'd like to get the ok to use this on his surgical site. He has absorbable sutures so we don't have to worry about the wound healing around them. His surgeon will be in later to see how he's doing. If I'm not here can you mention using the eicosanoid on his surgical wound?" the nurse asked me.

"Ike-what?"

"Eye-KAH-sah-noid. If you just say eye-kah-something and you mention the French salve, he'll know what you mean. Mr. Manoso, you know what this is right?"

"It's a biologic. I believe it's a bioactive lipid that promotes healing on a cellular level, am I right? I think it's being used in cancer research too."

"Very good. You must read a lot. Now let's get you washed and changed. If I leave the soap and water will you be able to clean yourself up? I want to check on Mr. Sherman. I'll be back to change your sheets and help you with your gown in about ten minutes."

"Carlos, did you really know what he was talking about?" I asked as I handed Carlos a sudsy washcloth so he could wash himself. I knew he wouldn't let me touch him so I didn't even bother to try. Although had we not just played around, it would have been fun.

"The doctor told me they were going to be using it on my shrapnel wounds and I asked about it. I'm sure I gave him a simplistic answer, but then I'm sure that's all I got. I understand its medical applications are pretty amazing." He paused for a second and looked at me, his eyes dilating black. "You're pretty amazing too, Babe," he said and leaned in to kiss me.

"That was fun," I whispered, "and we almost got caught."

"I wonder what he would have done."

"Probably he would have just dropped off the sheets and gowns and gone into Tank's room. He seems pretty cool."