Bobby's POV
"Hey there, Steph. You ready to do this?" I asked when she walked into the medical suite. She didn't look amused to be here with me.
"If we must," she pouted, and I stifled a laugh.
"I don't think we've spent enough time together for you not to like me yet," I teased, and she finally cracked a small smile.
"It's not that at all. I just hate anything involving diets, doctors, or hospitals," she replied with one of her signature eye rolls.
"Well, we'll see if we can make the diet something that you won't completely hate long-term. As for doctors and hospitals, I don't see either of those here. I'm actually a Physician's Assistant, and I try to treat anything that I possibly can outside of the hospital. I like taking care of my crew. Now, we're just going to do both a medical history and physical exam and then we'll talk about nutrition. Sound good?" I asked.
"Yeah, that's fine. I just…uhh…I can still see my lady doctor for the really personal stuff, right?" she asked as she fidgeted in her chair. She was cute, and badasses don't use that word. If I didn't know for certain that Ric and Tank had their eyes on her I'd ask her out in a heartbeat.
"Of course. Let's start there. When was your last well woman exam?"
"Just two months ago, and everything checked out good, no issues," she answered quickly.
"Good. Do you use birth control?" She snorted out loud at that question and I almost laughed with her.
"I haven't had a need to in so long it's ridiculous, but I should probably think about it. I didn't have medical insurance, and since I wasn't having sex I didn't see any reason. I can make another appointment with my doctor," she offered.
"No need. I can actually help you with that; I take care of it for a couple of the guys' wives or long-term girlfriends. Are you interested in the pill or would you prefer something like the shot so you don't have to think about it every day?"
She wrinkled her nose and thought for a moment. "I think I'd like the shot. I'm not exactly big on routine, so remembering to take a pill at the same time every day isn't the best plan for me. And I don't see myself wanting kids anytime soon – hell, I'm not convinced I'll ever want them – but I don't want anything too permanent just in case."
"We can start that today since your last exam was so recent. Let's talk about general health. Any issues that I need to know about?"
"Other than the bad habit of saying what I'm thinking without realizing it?" she joked. "No, no health issues, and no medications."
"Alright, that's good. I'll do your exam in a few minutes, but first let's discuss your wishes. I already know that you don't like hospitals, so I'm guessing that for any minor problems or issues that I can treat your preference would be to take care of it here? I can do some things like put in stitches, check wounds, and monitor you here without taking you in," I explained.
"Yes, absolutely," she replied emphatically.
"Alright, I also see that you completed your DNR and medical POA forms already. Do you have any questions about me being your medical POA? It's really just a precaution in case you're injured so that we can ensure that you get the care that's needed and make decisions in your best interest if you're unable to do so."
"No," she shook her head, "I would actually prefer that to my mother."
"Okay, let's just take a look at you then."
I took my time listening to Steph's heart and lungs as well as checking mobility and giving a thorough exam. She was a much better patient than the guys; it seemed that the bigger they were the harder they were to treat.
"Everything looks great," I said when I was finished. "Now for your diet. I understand that you have different dietary needs than we do, but I would really like to get you off of sugar and processed foods for thirty days in order to let your body detox. Then we can slowly add some back in while ensuring that your diet remains healthy and balanced."
"You want to do what?!" she screeched.
Ranger's POV
I dropped my pen and rolled my neck when a knock sounded at my door. I'd been working on month-end paperwork and reports for what seemed like hours now, but a quick look at the clock indicated it hadn't actually been nearly that long.
"Enter!" I barked out. Les poked his head in my office and gave me a hard look as he shut the door and took a seat across from me.
"You know you hate dealing with bullshit paperwork. Why don't you just hire someone to do it? Better yet – ask Steph to help with it. From what I've observed, she has a good head on her shoulders and is very capable. I noticed when we were packing her old apartment up that she has her business degree from Rutgers. I'm sure she would love to help. In fact, I know for certain that she's itching to feel like she's contributing something," Les lectured.
"I hate to throw anyone in the middle of this mess," I groaned. If I'd spent more time around Stephanie, I'm pretty sure I would have rolled my eyes, too.
"You're not making any progress on your own. Just ask her if she'd like to learn that side of the job and see what she says," he encouraged me. "I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."
He was probably right. "I'll run it by her and if she's willing I'll have her help me. Did she do okay in the gym this morning?" I actually hadn't seen her at all today, which was unusual. She'd been in the gym with Les first thing this morning and Tank and I hadn't returned to the building until after the morning meeting. She'd been with Bobby for a while now, but was due on the control room floor after lunch.
"Yeah, she did great. We ran outside and then came back for her toning and strength training. I'd like for Hector and I to take over her self-defense, if that's okay with you. She's never going to be as tall or muscular as all of us, so she needs to learn to use her size and speed instead of relying on pure strength."
I looked at Les calculatingly and nodded. "You're right, which makes Tank and I both poor choices to train her. I would like for her to be able to spar with us eventually, though. She needs to know how to defend herself against someone his size." Tank was taller than me at 6'-6" and was a solid wall of muscle. I came in at 5'-11" and wasn't as bulked up as Tank. He earned his nickname with his size.
"Glad you recognize it, Primo. You really like her, don't you?" Les pried. If it was any of my other men, I'd shut them down right away, but Les knew me better than almost anyone and I knew he only had my best interest in mind.
"I do. I can't explain it – it's like I knew the moment she sat down across from Tank and me at that diner that she was what he and I are missing. Hell, I feel her presence before I see her. You know I love Tank and I am committed to him, but we both feel like there's something missing from our relationship. We've been getting to know her and flirting with her and she seems to be responding well. I just hope she's open to something with us." Jesus Christ, I sounded like a teenage girl. This would do serious damage to my reputation if it got out.
"You don't have anything to worry about there," Les replied with a smirk.
"What do you know?" I pressed.
"She told me this morning that the more time she spends with you two jokers, the more she wants someone just like you and that she wants a relationship like yours, too. Can't get much clearer without her saying that she wants you two lucky bastards."
"Thanks, Santos. Now, get out of here!" I barked. I think we were both in danger of losing our man cards if this conversation continued.