sigh I forgot how much I love the first chapter of this story. But more importantly, I want to take this moment to say thank you to my wonderful reviewers. You all have no idea how happy you make me! My sister was watching me check my emails and she said I was smiling like a just won the lottery. I was reading my reviews : ) I love you all and I write this only for you so keep 'em coming!

"Wh-what? When?"

"On her way to Mary Lou's. Just off Carol street. A delivery truck ran a stop sign and hit her on the driver's side." Ranger's heart thundered in his chest and his breathing was labored. Stephanie had been hurt so many times but for some reason, this felt different. Tank's voice sounded too worried, too unsteady for a Rangeman and Ranger wasn't sure if he was about to hear that Steph left the scene in a body bag. Ranger put his phone on speaker and began to dress. He reached blindly into a drawer and pulled out a pair of dark wash Levi's and then into another drawer to pull out a white tee from a local bar. He dressed and gathered information as he suited up and armed himself.

"Car."

"The Turbo. It crumpled like a soup can."

"Hospital."

"St. Francis. She's in surgery now. I don't know the details but it's not good and you have a few hours until she gets out. The GL is waiting in front of the elevator for you." Ranger frantically searched his room for anything else he might need. How many times had he left the apartment? How many times had he dressed himself to go out in public? Hundreds, thousands of times. Do I have a gun on me? Yes. Knife. Do I need a knife? Yes. No, wait. I don't know. Fuck. Where's my phone? In my hand. Where's my- He couldn't get his breathing under control. They practically had a running tab at the hospital and he could remember each time he had helped her clean up after a bad skip. But this time was different. Of course he was always worried about her each time he got that phone call from Tank. But in that moment he couldn't help but feel panicked.

As he passed the wall length mirror next to the dresser he caught his own gaze in his reflection. For the first time, Ranger looked to see what he was wearing. Dark wash, well worn jeans and a loose fitting tee shirt with his black Nike running sneakers. His hair was almost dry now and hung loose around his broad shoulders. It felt strange to see himself so casual and if Steph were there next to him under different circumstances, she'd have ruined her panties. It wasn't Ranger staring back at him, but Carlos. He hadn't been able to see Carlos in weeks and for a fleeting second he felt normal. But there was no time to be normal.

"Mateo! Rapidamente, nos estamos yendo." (Quickly, we are leaving.) He jogged from the bedroom and down the short hall to the living room. There was an familiar pain in his chest, more of a pressure really, that crept up his throat and he found it hard to speak clearly. Mateo was on the couch still watching cartoons and looked curiously up at his father.

"Why, Daddy?" Ranger stopped at the front door now and got Mateo's CAT boots. He jogged back over to the couch and knelt in front of Mateo. He made quick work of putting them on Mateo's small feet and tied them, remembering to double knot them so he wouldn't trip later. Ok. Mateo is going to come with me and when we get there he'll go home with her mother. I'll stay and pick him up arou-



"Daddy? Por que nos estamos yendo?" (Why are we leaving?) Ranger's eyes snapped up from Mateo's feet and he looked up into his eyes. He hadn't realized how much he had startled his son but one look into his crystal eyes told him so. Mateo had never seen Ranger move with such speed and necessity, nor had he seen him in such casual clothing with such a panicked tone to his voice. The pressure and pain building up in his chest cavity felt even more intense and even heavier with each tear filled blink from his son, demanding to be released. He cleared his throat and shook his head slightly, pushing back down whatever it was that was causing him such discomfort. How could he tell his son that his mother was being operated on to save her life and he wasn't sure what condition she would be in once she got out? Babe, my Babe.

"Mama was in a car accident. She's in the hospital right now because she has to get her scrapes fixed." He didn't need to know that those 'scrapes' were potentially bruised or damaged organs, broken bones, countless abrasions, fractures. The second the words left his mouth, the same panic and fear washed over Mateo. Tears began to fall down his soft, round cheeks, making his thick black lashes glisten. Ranger reached up with a callused thumb and wiped away the stream, then cupped his small face in his wide palm.

"Shhhh, mi niño. It'll be ok. Parar tus rasgones." (stop your tears) Mateo couldn't help the heaves coming from his chest. He grabbed Ranger's wrist tightly in his little hands as he shook his head.

"No, Daddy. What if she isn't ok? What happens if they can't fix her?" He sobbed now, clutching Ranger's wrist while shaking his head furiously. Stephanie had stopped doing field work and distractions the second she found out she was pregnant. Mateo had never known about his mother's wild past and it scared him to death to think that his mother was in a hospital. He had no problem going to fix whatever he had done to himself while jumping off Tank's truck but in his eyes, Mama is not allowed to go. Ranger felt that ever-present hand reach into his chest cavity and claw at his heart. No. No. No. No. Steph is going to be ok. They WILL fix her. They will fix her. They have to. I can't..I..Ranger's eyes glazed over and his lungs felt water logged. Since when did he cry? Seeing Mateo so worked up and hearing his sweet voice so shaky and filled with tears, it was too much for him. Throw that all on top of the fact that Steph was side swiped by a truck and was in surgery and it made for an emotional meltdown. He felt his heart creep up into his throat and he fought with himself to push it back down.

"She will be ok." She has to be ok. Ranger leaned up and kissed Mateo's forehead before scooping him up and crushing the boy to his chest. He felt Mateo's arms and legs tighten around his neck and waist, his skin tingling as his son's tears seeped through the thin material of his tee shirt where Mateo had buried his face. She will be ok. She's going to be fine. Ranger chanted his mantra to himself as he cradled the back of Mateo's head in his massive palm and rushed out of the apartment. Once in the elevator, Ranger finally noticed how hard his heart was thundering in his chest. Not that the guys would ever dare say anything or blame him, but Ranger was relieved to feel that his tears had stopped and he could now control his breathing. He ran a steady hand up and down Mateo's back. Stay calm, stay calm for Mateo. What would Babe say if she found out you weren't strong for Mateo?

Just like Steph, he had the parental instinct to gently sway on his feet side to side in a calming fashion that seemed to keep Mateo's anxiety under control. He whispered soft Spanish into his ear and turned his head to gently kiss the side of his face every few words, waiting for the elevator to reach the garage. It couldn't happen fast enough. Mateo's sobs had simmered down to hiccups while he took comfort in the strong embrace of Ranger. Finally, after an agonizing minute and twenty seconds the 'ding' of the elevator sounded and the doors opened. Ranger stepped off and just as Tank had said, their black GL was running and waiting for them. He buckled Mateo into his booster seat, kissed his forehead softly 

and then hopped in the driver's seat before speeding off to the hospital, his heart in his lap the entire time.

0o0o0o0o

Ranger rushed through the automatic doors, holding Mateo so that he had his arms and legs wrapped around Ranger tightly, with his hand cradling the back of his small head. The scene in the lobby of St. Francis was close to the scene Ranger and Steph had walked into once waking up after Mateo's kidnapping. That same feeling of panic that had brought him to his knees that day swept over him again, but by some force of nature he was able to support his own weight. There were plain clothes and uniforms walking around, all friends of Steph, as well as every Rangeman that had ever known her. Her entire family as well as most of his was seated in the chairs along the back wall. There was a dull hum over the crowd as some cried, some prayed, but most just consoled their families. As if they sensed his presence, all attention turned to Ranger and all fell silent, like they were waiting for his instruction. But he was lost. He clutched Mateo to him like a life line and fought with every ounce of energy to keep his blank face on. It was of no use. His jaw was tight and his mouth still but his eyes screamed with the agony pumping through his veins. A woman Ranger recognized as the nurse that normally took care of Steph stepped forward through the crowd and met him half way into the lobby.

"Mr. Manoso, Stephanie was ejected from the car and landed roughly fifteen feet away from the collision site. She suffered three broken ribs and may have punctured lung, as well as a dislocated shoulder and some asphalt burn to her side. She's in surgery now repairing the lung." She gave a weak smile and returned to her desk. The room began to spin and it wasn't long before he felt hands guide him to a chair in the corner. He saw Joe and Tank's lips moving but he heard no words. All he could hear was the labored breathing coming from Mateo's mouth just below his ear while his head rested on his shoulder.

After a few hours, Mateo was sleeping soundly on Ranger and all of the crowd had dissipated. God, what the fuck is wrong with me? They had to sit me down? Since when do I need to be put in a chair so I don't pass the fuck out? He took stock of the room, actually seeing everything for the first time since he had sat down. Joe was slumped over, asleep, in a chair on the opposite side of the room. Tank was beside Ranger in a chair, stone faced and patient as he watched the door to the surgery hall.

"When did I become such a fucking mess?" Ranger whispered softly so as not to wake Mateo but Tank could still hear him. He sighed and watched the surgery hall door just as Tank did.

"You're not a mess. You're just allowing yourself to be human. You freaked. It happens. Get over it and don't dwell on it." Ranger cocked a brow at Tank. Ranger blinked a few times but then sighed in agreement. Don't dwell on it. She'll be ok. Just move on with her and help her. His Babe. She lay opened up on an operating table all alone, unconscious as they repaired her perfect body. He desperately wanted to trade places with her, or even hold her hand. He couldn't stand the thought of her being alone. Allowing myself to be human. Hnh. Ranger mentally laughed. Steph had been telling him for weeks now that he wasn't allowing himself to be human. Apparently she wasn't the only one that noticed.

Nearly five hours after Stephanie was admitted, the swinging doors to the surgery wing opened and two surgeons walked through, both still in their bloody scrubs. Ranger felt his heart beat speed up to an uncontrollable rate and his breathing followed suit.



"Mr. Manoso, Stephanie did just fine. She's going to be in pain but everything was very routine. We can allow one visitor in her room at a time just for stress purposes, but if you would like to go see her she is in room 118 of the ICU." The blood covered men nodded and turned to leave. Ranger had never felt more relieved in his entire life. Babe is ok. She's ok, she's alright. I can go see her. But Mateo, he'll want to see her. Tank read his boss's face, not easily perceptible since he had taken down his walls, and reached for Mateo. He made the transition smoothly and Mateo nuzzled into the man's rock hard chest, still fast asleep.

"Should I take him back to the building or to her parents?" Ranger sighed. If Mateo woke up in his grandparents' house without all of his own bedding and his familiar settings he would surely panic once remembering where his mother was.

"Take him back home and ask Ella to stay with him, unless the guys want to. When he wakes up, tell him Steph is ok and tell him I'll come get him when Steph can see people." Tank nodded once and parted as Ranger jogged down the hall to room 118 of the Intensive Care Unit. He stopped in front of her door and for a brief moment, he thought about turning back. Could he handle seeing her like this? Could he stand to see her so broken? He had to. With a shaking hand Ranger opened her door and entered the room.

His beautiful Babe was lying on the bed, eyes closed. She had a chest tube down her throat, tapped into place over her kissable lips with multiple IV's protruding from her ivory skin. She looked lifeless and it tugged at his heart. The only thing keeping him going was seeing her chest rise and fall with each slow breath. He took careful steps and found himself a place in a chair right beside her bed. My Babe. My poor Babe, what happened to you? He watched her breathed and took comfort in the fact that she seemed to have retained some of her color. She wasn't stable enough for movement yet so Ranger could only hold her hand. And he did, for the rest of the night, his eyes never leaving her face.

Multiple nurses had come through every hour, on the hour, the entire night and they reassured him that she was doing well. His eyelids began to droop and they felt as if they had ten pound weights attached. Stay awake, Manoso. She needs you. He scolded himself silently as he watched her breathe. What if something happened while he slept? What if she woke up and wanted to talk to him? 'Be human, Carlos.' Her sweet voice played over in his mind and he couldn't help but listen, resting his head next to her limp hand on the bed. Only a second. Just a second and I'll be awake. Just a second.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"Mr. Manoso? Mr. Manoso." A gentle hand tapped lightly on his shoulder, causing him to stir. What the fuck? Steph! His eyes shot open and he sat up quickly. He had been sleeping for five hours and apparently Steph had been, too. He looked over to see her sleeping and still limp though without her chest tube. He looked up at the nurse.

"She's ok. The doctor came in while you were sleeping and he cleared her for the tube. Her lung wasn't punctured, just bruised, so she should be able to speak as soon as she's ready." She checked a few of the monitors and jotted a few things down before leaving him alone with Steph. He looked over at her and without thinking, he reached out to touch her face. Even broken she still felt smooth and soft beneath his rough finger tips.

"My Babe. Mi amor. Que el hizo a ti, hermoso?" (what did they do to you, beautiful?) He caressed the side of her perfect face and gasped softly as he watched her eyes flutter. He stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb, staring at her intently. Slowly but surely, Steph's eyes opened. She looked frantically 

around the room then finally at Ranger, pleading to him with her eyes for an explanation. He stood and held her face between his massive mitts. Leaning forward, he placed a gentle kiss to her dry lips.

"You were in a car accident, Babe. You broke a few ribs and you had a dislocated shoulder. You had surgery to repair a punctured lung and you've been out for about twelve hours." It was the equivalent of him speaking a thousand words but he figured the more information she had, the less panicked and confused she would feel. And it helped. She eased into Ranger's embrace and closed her eyes, letting it all sink in. He kissed her softly again and thought of the things he would like to hear if Steph could be by his side every time he was hurt on a mission.

"Mateo is home with the guys and Ella. They'll probably let him eat ice cream again for breakfast but I don't think there's much we can do to stop it." This got a small smile from Steph, still keeping her eyes closed. That's good, Babe. Smile. Smile for me, please Babe. I need to see you smile. She moved her lips to speak but she couldn't get a word out. Ranger found a small cup with a straw and he filled it with water, letting her drink from it. She took small, careful sips and soon her tongue was no longer stuck to the roof of her mouth.

"Thanks." He nodded and stroked the palm of her hand with the tips of his fingers, as if he would break her from any more contact. She looked so helpless and fragile in the hospital bed that he wasn't sure if she was in fact real. She opened her eyes and looked over at him, gracing him with the smile again. She took in his appearance and felt her heart flutter. He looked sexy as hell in his tee shirt and jeans and she felt butterflies grow in her stomach. The way his silky hair fell around his shoulders sent shock waves through her body, as did the contrast from his mocha latte skin and white shirt. And then he smiled. She thought for sure that her heart monitor would have to go into overtime.

"Why are we smiling, Babe? Not that I'm complaining." He leaned forward in his chair and brought her palm to his face, placing it on his scruffy, unshaven cheek. She rubbed her thumb back and forth just beneath his eye. Only his Babe could be comforting someone else while she was in a hospital bed.

"You look good. Like my Carlos, the man I love." She whispered still, her throat sore from the chest tube. Her words had just as much impact on him as if she were screaming. His heart skipped a beat. All the things he had done to her, said to make her cry. After everything he had put her through and after all that she had endured, she could still love him. That heavy weight dropped on his lungs again and he had to clear his throat to form words.

"I know, Babe. It's going to stay this way. I love you with everything I am. I won't do this to you anymore." He turned his face so that he could kiss her palm before leaning in to capture her lips in his own. He kissed her whole heartedly for only a second, remembering that she could only handle so much. I'm so sorry, Babe. I'm sorry. It's over. I'm done. I won't do this to you anymore. He found it pathetic that Steph had to have an accident for him to realize how much time he was wasting. But, it had worked. And Carlos was back. She sighed softly beneath his lips and he pulled back, resting his forehead against hers.

"So when's the wedding, Batman? I've been your fiancé for way too long." He chuckled softly and kissed her again, this time tracing her lips with the tip of his tongue.

"Whenever you want, Babe."

"Then the second I get out of here." He nodded, still chuckling, and kissed her again before gently placing himself next to her in the bed. Careful not to disturb and stitches, he turned on his side so that 

he faced her. She moved on her own accord and inched closer to him carefully and finally rested once she was pressed up against his warmth.

"Te amo, Babe. Sueno, eres cansado." (I love you, Babe. Sleep, you are tired.) She nodded softly and let her eyes flutter shut. He ran his hand up and down her spine gently, soothing her into her dreams while listening to her steady breathing. He heard her pick up a steady pattern and he knew she was almost asleep. Then the pattern changed. Her eyes shot open and her piercing blue gaze rested on his.

"Babe?"

"Your mother called me after I left Haywood." He raised a brow in question.

"We had an interesting talk about a conversation you had with her." Again, he raised a brow.

"You want another baby?" Oh. That conversation.

"I would like to have as many children with you as you want. Whether that's just Mateo or twenty more." He kissed her softly and waited to gauge her reaction. Of course I want another baby. "I know Mateo wasn't planned and if he's enough for you than he's enough for me." She nodded slowly and seemed to be mulling over the topic. Jeeze. I can't have another baby. I can't. Mateo was a shock, not a surprise. I wouldn't change him for anything but, god. I can't have another baby. I'm surprised they haven't taken Mateo from me as it is.

"Can I get back to you on that?" I can't have another baby. Her eyes were closed now and she returned her head to Ranger's chest, hopefully hiding her very readable face from his view. She felt his chest vibrate again with a chuckle and he nodded.

"Of course, Babe. Go to sleep." Mateo will be an only child. But that's ok. She's given me Mateo. I can't complain. And he listened as his Babe breathed herself into a deep sleep.

Once again, thank you to all the readers and reviewers. You all keep me smiling. This is the second to last chapter. The next chapter will be the last! It's going to be happy and nice and just what you've all been waiting for. Stay tuned and thank you all so much for reading, sticking with me through this whirl wind of Ranger emotion!