Disclaimer: Not my characters, just playing with them for a bit.
A/N: This one is short - sorry, but I figured short was better than none!
Chapter 11
We had enough time before the movie to walk all the way around the mall three times - once on each level. We stopped a few times - to watch someone on a water-massage machine, then an artist doing caricature sketches, and finally a mechanized display at one of the better gadget shops - but mostly we just walked. It felt weird to be doing something so normal, with Ranger dressed and acting like an everyday average guy, and at first it made me edgy. Then I noticed him scanning faces in the crowd. Strangely that bit of Ranger-normal behavior let me relax and enjoy our stroll. He kept one hand lightly on the small of my back as we walked and I made note of the variety of stores for future shopping expeditions.
At the theater Ranger surprised me again, leading me to the concession counter after we'd gotten our tickets. I was still full from our brunch so I shook my head to his offer of popcorn. I did want a drink, though. Ranger asked for a bottle of water and got a Coke for me.
The theater was empty except for us and I looked at my phone to see what day it was - I'd lost track. It was early on a Thursday afternoon, too early for most working people and with school in session that explained the lack of crowd. With all the seats open I would have guessed Ranger would choose a place at the top row, you know, the whole back-to-the-wall thing. Instead Ranger chose a spot about halfway up the stadium seats. It was where I tried to sit because you got the best view of the screen, but as soon as a few more people came in I realized we got a good look at everyone's face, too. Everyone paused a beat as they came in to look up at the rows before starting up the steps.
The movie was better than I expected. It was number four of a series and number three had sucked, but this one made up for it. There was no shortage of action, there was an actual plot, and one-liners scattered throughout the movie had the audience cracking up - even Ranger. When the credits ran we stayed in our seats to let the crowd thin out and to my delight there were out-takes at the end. As we left I took a detour to the bathroom, and afterward we headed back outside.
It had turned hot again during the afternoon and I was glad the Turbo's air conditioning was first-rate. I found myself once again watching Ranger as he drove.
"That was a good movie," I said, breaking the comfortable silence. "I was surprised. The last one sucked."
Ranger's grin flashed. "Maybe they were trying to compensate," he said.
"Do you go to movies very often?" Okay, I told myself I wasn't going to ask nosy questions but my curiosity was killing me. It just seemed so out of character for the Ranger I was familiar with.
"Not often. I like movies, but there's usually enough going on with the business that I don't have the time." He flashed me a quick smile and added, "I catch up on DVDs whenever I get a chance - during safehouse duty, on long flights, or when I'm laid up."
I pushed away memories of how many times he'd been wounded that Iknewof since I'd known him and gave him a flippant come-back. "Well, next time you want to watch movies come over for movie night instead of getting yourself shot, okay?" His lips quirked and I continued. "Bring ice cream and I'll even let you pick the movies. Deal?"
He caught my hand and squeezed it, then lightly kissed the back of my fingers.
"Deal."
more coming soon…