Disclaimer: The characters you recognize as J.E. are hers. Any other character is a figment of my imagination and any similarities to real persons is merely a coincidence
This story is definitely AU. The characters have the same physical appearance as in J.E.'s books; however I have changed ages of some characters. This is a Babe HEA and Cupcake fans may not be happy as Joe is dead as are Frank and Helen Plum. The Plums as well as Joe are not portrayed favorably, they were bad characters in the original and references may be made in this story as to what their actions were in the original story. References may be made to any of the books in the series, so if you haven't read them all, you may want to wait to read this. That said…
I would like to thank all those who review as guests and those who have PMing turned off. I greatly appreciate all the reviews.
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
A Judas Among Us.
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Two Skips a Chasing and a Judas Among Us.
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Three Bullet Wounds, Two Skips a Chasing and a Judas Among Us.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Four False Alarms, Three Bullet Wounds, Two Skips a Chasing and a Judas Among Us.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Five New Clues
Four False Alarms, Three Bullet Wounds, Two Skips a Chasing and a Judas Among Us.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Chapter 11: Six Allies Helping
Ram's POV:
I had just entered the floor when I got a text from Ranger wanting me to stop by his office before the morning meeting. I headed that way and knocked on his door. At his enter I opened the door and stepped inside. I wasn't surprised to see the core team in the room. Somehow it was fitting. I closed the door and stood at attention as I met Ranger's gaze and said, "You wanted to see me sir?"
Ranger nodded, "I have a special job for you. I need you to make contact with all the names on this list. You'll need to contact them today at their homes so take whatever time you need. Since your shift will be an odd one today you can have tomorrow off."
I took the list Ranger handed me and I glanced at the names before once again turning to the man behind the desk. If he wanted me to make contact with these men then I would do it. I nodded. I turned and headed out. I didn't need Ranger telling me to know I was dismissed. I headed for the stairwell when I left Ranger's office. I had been given a task and the best times to catch these guys where I wanted them. I didn't need to be told I was being excused from the morning meeting. When I hit the garage I grabbed the keys to the SUV I normally drove and headed out. I was planning an early morning meeting with our illustrious Governor and in order to get there in time I needed to light a fire now.
When I pulled up to the Capital Building there was an armed guard who greeted me. I showed him my credentials and stated my business. He motioned me onward and I pulled into the parking lot and headed inside. It didn't take me long to reach the office of the Governor and I paused long enough to knock and waited till I was bid to enter. I opened the door and Joe Juniak smiled and stood, holding his hand out to me. I stepped forward and shook his hand before having the seat he motioned me to.
"I was asked to come see you and read you in on what's coming down the road."
Juniak nodded. "You tell Stephanie she has my full support."
I nodded and handed him the file Ranger had given me. I watched as Juniak read through the file and when he set it on his desk he raised his gaze to meet mine. I could see the wheels turning in his mind and stayed silent waiting for him to break the silence. Finally he said, "Tell Wonder Women that Alpha Squad is at her disposal. And tell Batman he has everything I have at his disposal as well."
I nodded and stood. "Yes sir. By the way, Ranger said the last is as important as the first."
Juniak's eyes narrowed and he looked again at the last page of the file. He raised his head and silently nodded. I moved to the door and left, heading for the next destination on my list. If I hurried I would catch him before he left for work. Of course I ran the risk his wife would be home but I was sure we could find a quiet place to talk. It took me 15 minutes to make my way across town and I parked at the curb and checked the area before heading up to the house. I rang the bell and the door was opened by Eddie. He gave me a puzzled look and I motioned with my head, "Can we talk?"
Eddie hesitated before nodding and said, "Follow me. I take it this is to be private?"
"Yes."
Eddie led me to the garage and we entered through a side door. He put a finger up to his mouth and I followed his unspoken cue and remained silent as I followed him to a small room. Once the door was shut he turned to me and nodded, "You can talk now. This room is sound proof. Never knew what I would need a sound proof room for but I guess you can never tell."
I handed him the file I had been directed to give him and he silently read through the information before whistling. "Tell Steph I got her back. I'll be ready when she needs me."
I nodded and watched as Eddie placed the file in a hidden safe before pocketing the key. Eddie frowned and asked, "Can I assume she has the file in code?"
I nodded and Eddie grinned. "Tell her I got her covered."
We headed out and Eddie turned to tell me, "If you go to this address you can catch two of the people I know you are going to see."
"Thanks." Eddie handed me a piece of paper and I glanced at it before we headed in our own directions.
Ten minutes later I was at the address and I got out of the SUV and looked around. I saw Carl and Big Dog shortly after I exited the vehicle and made my way over to them. "Can we talk?"
Carl nodded and turned back to the building. I followed him with Big Dog bringing up the rear. I handed them the file and watched as they read through it. Carl smiled and I pitied the poor fool on the receiving end of that smile. He read the last page and went back to the front. After several minutes he growled and said, "Damn!" He raised his gaze and told me, "Tell Steph we are backing her on this. She has whatever she needs from us."
I left the two of them and had some time so I headed to where Jillian worked. I liked to meet her whenever I could for lunch. Man I loved that woman. We had met 2 years ago and were married within a year. I hadn't mentioned it to the guys yet but Jill was 5 months pregnant. She wanted to keep it a surprise until Christmas so I honored her wishes. We were going to tell everyone on Christmas Eve. I couldn't wait. When I walked into the store she smiled and made her way over to me. I took her in my arms and we kissed.
I asked, "Do you have time for lunch?"
She giggled, "I always have time for lunch with you."
I waited for her to tell her assistant where she was going and we headed out to a nearby restaurant. We ate and spent a few moments playing tonsil hockey before I walked her back to the shop. I headed to my next destination and when I got there I was surprised to see Lester and Sam heading back to Lester's SUV. I nodded to him and asked, "What up?"
Lester motioned to his partner and said, "Sam thought our FTA ran into that building so we've spent the better part of an hour searching through the building."
"Any luck?"
Lester looked disgusted, "No. Genius over there thinks he was mistaken now but didn't decide on that till just a few minutes ago."
My gaze went to Sam and I had a funny feeling in my gut that I was the reason he wanted out of here. I waved to Les and told him later, before making my way into the building. I went to the apartment I needed and rang the buzzer. The door was opened and I felt someone frantically jerking at my wrist. I looked down and saw Randy frantically trying to get me in his apartment so he could shut the door.
"What's going On?" I asked.
"I just don't think it's safe out there."
I looked around his apartment and asked, "What happened in here?"
"He came looking for me. Good thing I was hiding."
I frowned. I didn't see any possible hiding spaces. "Where did you manage to hide?"
Randy motioned to a mail box. It was about 3and ½ feet tall and there was an overlarge mail slot. I raised a brow and he shrugged, "Don't knock it. It kept him from finding me."
I nodded. I handed him the folder I had been given. Randy took it and waddled over to the sofa. He got himself situated and read through the file before narrowing his eyes and seeming to read it again. He smiled and shook his head. "Fucking brilliant Stephanie. Nothing like hiding things in plain sight."
I stayed quiet and let him finish his reading. When he looked up he was smiling grimly, "Tell her I'll get right on it. I might be moving around a bit so if she doesn't hear from me tell her not to worry."
I nodded, "I'll tell her."
I left Randy's apartment and headed out to my SUV. I was nearly there when I felt as if something was very off. I was searching my surroundings when my phone rang. I pulled it out and frowned as I saw Ranger's number show up. "Yo?"
It was Rafael's voice I heard, "Ram, whatever you do, don't touch your truck. I'm getting some weird vibes since you went inside. Dad's on his way with a team to dust the SUV."
"Thanks."
I could almost see the kid narrowing his eyes. I was floored as I heard the laugh, "Congratulations by the way. I think you are in for a couple of surprises this Christmas."
I had a feeling my secret was out. "Uh, listen…Jillian doesn't want anyone to know until Christmas."
Rafael chuckled, "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone." Suddenly he was serious again and directed me, "Look to your left. Back by the building with the towering parking garage. Do you recognize the person standing watching you?"
I couldn't help the laugh that escaped, "Rafael, How the hell you can see the bastard from the penthouse is beyond me but I don't see any…" Just then there was movement in the exact location he had described. In slow motion I saw the rifle come up and I dove for cover as the sound of a gun firing was heard. At just that moment there was a black Cayenne that came screaming into the lot and parked itself between myself and the shooter. The back door was opened and Ranger said, "Get in!"
I lost no time in climbing in the back and we were on our way. I put the phone up to my ear and said, "Thanks man! You may have just saved my life."
I could hear the smile in Rafael's voice as he said, "Don't mention it. You would have done the same for me."
He spoke the truth. I would do anything to protect that little boy. "I gotta go now kid. See you later little dude."
When I ended the call Ranger glanced in the rearview mirror and asked, "Who else do you have to talk with?"
"Only one left is Mooner. I got the file with me."
Ranger nodded, "We'll go together."
"Not that I'm not happy to see you but how did you know?"
Ranger grinned, "Same way you knew about the shooter before he came out of hiding."
I grinned, "Rafael."
Ranger nodded, "Rafael."
"I hope you get that kid whatever he wants for Christmas."
Ranger rolled his eye and I was stunned. My eyes widened as I looked at my boss and friend. Ranger shook his head, "He's not going to get everything he wants for Christmas but I'm sure he will get a good chunk of it."
We pulled up in front of Mooner's and I got out while Ranger remained in the Cayenne. When I knocked on the door Mooner was grinning ear to ear. "You made it just in time Dude. Alf just started."
I handed Mooner a folder and told him, "Steph needs you to take a look at this."
Mooner suddenly looked like a different man. He nodded and said, "Come in. Move over to the darkness of the room and don't touch anything." I did as he said and a few moments later he joined me. I was surprised by the intelligence starring back at me. Mooner took the file and read it, then he read it again and smiled, "Tell Steph that I'm ready. When she needs me I'll be ready."
I nodded and we said our goodbyes. I headed back out to the Cayenne and slipped into the front passenger seat. We headed back to Rangeman. Thinking back over the guys I met with today, none of them had changed that much. Randy and Mooner were still bachelors and the rest of the guys were married with families. I think the biggest surprise for me today was Mooner though. I got a glimpse of a totally new side of the man I'd never seen before. I looked out the window and was glad to see Rangeman. I was ready to be back at work.
