So it's been waay to long, and I am truly sorry for that. I've become one of those fanfic writers that leaves everyone hanging in a story. But because of how busy I've been this past year or so, my spar time was limited or else I found I just couldn't find time to focus to finish these stories. I am, however, hoping to wrap-up all these un-finished stories. So please, be patient with me, and I hope you enjoy what I post :)
Also, in this chapter, we have some guest stars visiting. I made sure that it didn't seem far-fetched and flowed into the story, but the idea came to me and I couldn't turn it down. Let me know what you think!
Chapter 12
I pulled into the Rangeman garage, parked the car and turned off the engine. I sat there in complete silence, allowing it to fill me. Driving allows me to give myself 'alone' time; giving me a chance to be with my thoughts. During this time, I'm drifted towards deeper topics that lay in my subconscious—the meaning of life, one's destiny or fate. But today my thoughts bring me back to once again, my marriage. No I was not having doubts, or a need of a quest for a purpose, but it was rather an awakening discovery.
Like myself, Carlos was different. Different in a way that drew him apart from others; just like myself. Perhaps that was the quality that drew me, the moth, to his flame. Though we both shared similar life values, the fact that we came from polar opposites of life experiences shows we are a force to be recon with. Ironically we both mended together like two magnets.
I knew all this before going into the marriage. What I did not know was who else—or rather whom else I was marrying. True, when you marry someone you also marry your spouse's family, thus joining both families. But when you marry someone who shares close bonds with comrades of the military, you also pick up an extra family member or two (or in my case, a whole Rangeman building). Not only did I marry Carlos the Special Forces Army Ranger, but I married the whole motley crew that came with it.
I sat for a moment longer in the silence of my car, allowing this realization to sink in. It didn't bother me any to know I shared my husband with several others—for I knew that I had a special part of him that no one else had. The part of him that he kept closed off from everyone else but me (and no I'm not talking about what's tucked away in his pants). This part of him I speak of is not shown through the façade he puts up, but is found deep within him where the man Carlos lives and the street savvy Ranger does not. Rarely does Ranger allow Carlos to show, and when he does it's when no one else is looking (other then yours truly, of course).
I had exited the elevator and was making my way towards my cubical when I found myself being lured towards Lester's cubical. He didn't notice me when I stopped at his corner; he was intently focused in on his phone conversation; hunched over in his seat looking rather suspicious.
Hmmmmm….suppose a little eavesdropping is needed.
I looked around making sure no one was near to spot me snooping in on Lester. Once the coast was clear I focused my attention on Lester's phone conversation.
"Baby you know I can't get off that early…boss man frowns down upon that sort of thing," Lester cooed into the phone.
Looks like Lester has himself a girlfriend!
He listened to the receiver's end response then leaned back into this chair in thought.
I stiffened; afraid he would spot me behind him.
He didn't.
Lester let out a low groan as he squirmed slightly in his seat. I could only imagine what was being said on the other end for Lester to get all hot and bothered.
"Hmmm…I didn't know you were into that sort of thing," Lester grumbled in reply, his voice thick with desire.
I suppressed a giggle.
Lester was beginning to squirm more in his seat, having to reach down to adjust himself as the conversation went on and turned even more frisky. I became so engrossed with the sexy banter that I didn't notice someone sneaking in behind me and jabbing my sides with both fingers.
I squealed in response, jumping in place. Lester snapped his head over in my direction, the phone still against his ear.
"Not polite to eavesdrop—you know that bomber," a voice teased from behind me.
I turned to see the culprit who 'outted' me; planning to give them my deadliest death glare. Bobby as it turned out, was laughing his version of man-giggles as I gave him my glare and turned back to face Lester.
Lester had hung up and put his phone away and was now up out of his seat with his hands on his hips, looking a bit flustered and slightly irritated. Sweat had begun to form into droplets on his forehead. Guess the conversation kicked up a notch or two on the intensity side.
I started to say something but Lester didn't let me. "Save it bomber—I knew you were there."
The hell he did! "Pffff…puh-lease. You so did not."
"Did too" Lester argued back.
"Did not," I countered in return.
"Uh you guys…" Bobby interrupted, attempting to keep the noise level down. He did not succeed.
"Not"
"Did!"
"NOT!" I all but screamed.
The office floor got dead quiet just then, and I realized we had gained an audience.
When I spoke, it was in hushed tones so no one could hear. "So who's the lucky lady lover huh?" I asked Lester, teasingly.
He looked smug for a moment, a smirk growing at his lips as if he were off in another time and place. I slugged his arm, knowing just where his thoughts had drifted.
"Ouch…Jeeze you pack a punch for such a little thing" he said rubbing his arm. He eyed me accordingly, sizing up my small frame. Probably wondering where the strength and momentum sprouted from.
I didn't understand what had him so perplexed, I'm a Jersey girl—that didn't mean I have to hit like some sissy. "What?"
Lester gave that coined smirk of his, allowing his voice to hold his wicked charm. "Boss-man rubbin' off on ya huh?"
I narrowed my eyes, not liking where this conversation was headed. Ranger and I have been known to get a little rowdy on the sparring mats. Frequently when we were by ourselves, Ranger would scramble the cameras and quite often I would end up pinned beneath him. Our clothes would then tend to disappear after that and a new form of sparing began.
I was hoping that Ranger didn't forget to scramble the cameras one day and gave Lester here a show…
I was about to ask what he meant by that when Bobby intervened. "Less, lay off man—you're just upset she interrupted your phone nooner," Bobby—who finally spoke up—said.
Lester looked torn as he fought for his control and the right words to use. Unfortunately frustration took over. "It's easier said than done man. She gets laid where ever and when ever; from sun up till sun down—"
I gasped; appalled as I realized what he was referring to.
"—I on the other hand," Lester continued. "I, have to schedule for a time and place…that is if boss ever gives me the time to do so. I've been so booked with overtime that I'll be lucky if my dick ever sees the outside of these pants!"
I stood there, mouth agape.
I didn't have to look around to know the whole floor was turned facing us. Lester's outburst drew the attention from every direction. I was hoping Ranger was in a meeting (with sound proof walls surrounding him) and wouldn't come out to hear this.
Bobby recovered before me, able to reach over and smack Lester atop the head.
Lester flinched, and shook his head. "Thanks man, I needed that."
Bobby gave a single nod. "Anytime bro," and with that he spun off his heel and walked off. I watched him as he headed towards the office lounge. The office began to liven then, the noise level kicking up some.
When I turned back to Lester he seemed to be fixated on what I was holding in my hand. That's when I realized I was totting around the bag my mother had given me. Not that I worried he would be able to what was in its contents, for the bag was paper and therefore not see-through. But regardless, I found myself clutching it a little tighter, drawing it towards me for safekeeping. I did not want anyone getting ideas of a sudden pregnancy.
Noticing my agitation, Lester began to inch foreword. "What's in the bag there Beautiful?"
I stepped back away, pulling the bag in closer. "It's nothing. It's uh; it's none of your business." I replied firmly.
Lester displayed a moment of victory with a sly grin in which the lion corners his prey. He leered over at me as he made a swift move that resulted in him snatching my bag.
"Hey! Give that back, it's mine!" I hollered, trying to grab at the bag.
Lester held it above his head, watching me as I jumped up on my tippy-toes to reach it. "Miles well just give in Beautiful. I can hold this all day."
I ceased with my jumping and placed my hands on my hips, narrowing my eyes at him. "And what happens when all the blood flow stops going into your arm? Then what hmmm?"
Lester seemed to anticipate this answer, for he didn't miss a beat. "Then my arm remains frozen where it is. It will be numb, so I won't feel a thing, sweet-cheeks."
"You're a jerk, you know that?"
He smiled.
I looked around his desk, hoping to find something I could grab and steel for myself and hold it as hostage, but came up with nothing. All he had was a stack of office files and a stapler—nothing good for an exchange.
As I turned back to face him, he had begun to reach up into the bag. I flung myself at him and we both tumbled to the ground.
"Jeeze little wildcat, you sure are feisty. What is in this bag of yours?" Lester tantalized as he maneuvered above me so I lay pinned beneath him.
We were situated aside his desk so no one saw our little stumble to the ground. Lester had my arms pinned by my head and was leaning over me. "Just give me the damn bag and get off me."
Lester grinned his wily, shmuck grin of his, pissing me off even more. He wiggled in place for good measure, emphasizing his strength and size.
"Ewww…get off me!"
"It's not every day I have the boss's women like this. I figure if I'm going to be working the mats anyhow, why not milk it for what it's worth?"
My breath hitched in my throat, thinking he was going to pull a move on me. Instead he let go of my arms and attacked my stomach by tickling the living daylights out of me.
"Hah-ha-hah…s-s-stop t-that. Phhs. L-Lester!"
I squealed and squirmed left and right, ending up on my stomach with Lester sitting astride my legs.
Easing up on his "onslaught", I whipped my head around finding him digging into the bag. Seeing how I couldn't do anything about it, with me immobile in the position I was in, I held my breath as he pulled out the pregnancy kit.
I watched his face for a reaction, but he seemed confused for a moment as he read the box. Within moments recognition displayed and his eyes grew big with surprise.
"It's not what you think!" I exclaimed, keeping my voice down so no one else could listen in.
"What else is there to think, Bomber?" he replied flustered, holding the box up.
I quickly turned around in my position and slapped his hand down from holding the kit, just incase someone happened to walk by. "I told you not to look in the bag, you dimwit."
Lester looked sheepish for a moment, his eyes gazing down at my stomach. "I had no idea you guys were trying. And here I was…Christ I had you on the floor like that! Would if I hurt you, or batbaby! Stupid stupid!" Lester sputtered, hitting his head with his palm.
I grabbed his hand, stopping him from doing any further damage. "Hey now, stop that. I told you it's not what you think".
Lester allowed me to sit up as he moved off my legs. He looked uncertain holding the pregnancy kit; I wanted him to say something because the tension was beginning to build. We remained seated on the floor, starring at each other.
"Lester will you please say something," I finally spoke out.
He looked back at the kit he was holding, but didn't make a move to stand or move away. A look of trepidation washed over his face. "Are you?" he whispered.
I was grateful for him being discreet, but his reaction was starting to upset me. He acted as if it be horrific if I was with child. Would that really be so bad? I mean, I know I'm not your ideal "mother material", but it wasn't like I was totally dysfunctional in that department. I had some maternal instincts…right?
Then another thought occurred to me. What if Lester was jealous? I knew in my head that he couldn't be—I had married his boss—so what right did he have to be jealous? I knew he had some sort of physical attraction to me, but our relationship was something more along the lines of brother sister. Perhaps he wasn't jealous, but concerned. After what happened with Julie—Ranger's daughter—maybe Lester was worried something similar or worse could happen to Ranger and mine's baby.
I shook those thoughts away and got back to the question at hand. I made full eye contact with him, making sure I made my answer clear. "No…I am not." Pause. "And why are you acting all weird about this…what if I were pregnant?"
Lester studied me for a moment, an odd expression on his face. "I'm sorry Stephanie," he began.
Crap, he used my real name…
"…it's just that the thought of having a baby around here is so new and out of this world that it caught me off guard." He looked back at the kit and gave a small smile. "But I think I like the idea of having a mini Bombshell or Ranger around."
I felt myself smiling at the concept. "Oh you would huh?" I answered, a feeling of relief washing over me.
Lester nodded. "I'd be the best uncle a kid could ever have," he said, a big proud smile on his face.
"Hah! Now that would be the joke of the day," I teased.
Lester pretended to look offended. "What? You don't think I'm up to par with moving up to Uncle status?"
I suppressed a giggle and instead gave him a sincere smile. "I have no doubt you would be a kick-ass Uncle, Lester. But as it is, your Uncle status is on standby."
Lester pulled me in and laid a kiss on my forehead. "Awe, it's alright. I gotta' prep myself for something like that anyhow."
"Prep yourself for what, Santos?" A profound voice spoke from behind.
Lester pulled away from me and snapped to stand at attention. I looked up to find none other then my husband standing before me. He had his arms crossed, and was standing his full, daunting height. Or perhaps it wasn't his height that made him daunting but rather his persona he gave off.
"Uh…boss! We were just, uh…"
"Save it Santos." Ranger bellowed, snapping his fierce gaze at him.
I sighed and shook my head, pulling myself up from the floor. Men can be so dramatic…
"Is that so Babe?" Ranger said, making eye contact; his gaze cool his voice harsh. Guess he didn't like finding his wife on the floor in the arms of his most obnoxious employee. Either way, he should no better then to think anything of it.
I wanted to tell him to cast away his jealous best and set him in his place, but that's when I realized we were surrounded by a group of unknowns. They didn't seem to be part of the Rangeman team and didn't have the conduct of a potential client, so that left me to assume they were in the business. Ranger never mentioned collaborating with other associates—perhaps that's why I didn't hear from him this morning. Was he keeping something from me?
I looked back at my husband, giving him a questioning look. But he wasn't even making eye contact with me. He was gazing at the box on the ground, lying at my feet. The pregnancy kit…oh shit.
I bit my inner lip just knowing he had lifted his gaze back up to me. He, along with everyone else knew what that box was for, and because it was so obviously lying at my feet, there was no mistaking whose it was.
Mine.
I slowly allowed my gaze to meet his. He looked bewildered yet dumbfounded all at once as his jaw dropped slightly. I would have laughed if I wasn't so taken aback from the reaction.
Of course the display didn't last long before the blank mask slipped into place, once again, just like at the grocery store. He turned to the people standing beside him and motioned to me.
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet my wife, Stephanie." He said, pulling me to his side.
I looked from Ranger and over to the group of people. There were four of them altogether, but each seemed to stand out in their own unique way.
A man with peppered grey hair stepped up and offered his hand. I took it and we shook hands "Stephanie," he said adding a nod. "I'm NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs" he said, releasing my hand. He looked back towards the rest of the group as they all eyed me. "And this is my team, Special Agent Tony DiNozzo and Tim McGee along with Mossad officer, Ziva David".
I nodded my greetings going along with the introduction. I was so very confused right then. I wanted to ask Ranger what he was doing with three NCIS agents and a Mossad officer. But as I looked over to Ranger he gave a slight shake of his head, stopping me from voicing my confusion.
Turning away from me, Ranger spoke to Agent Gibbs beside him. "Agent Gibbs, why don't you and your team meet me in conference room B. I'll have one of my men bring you some refreshments."
This Gibbs fellow nodded his agreement and motioned his team out. I watched as they descended out of ear shot before I turned to my husband, hands on hips.
"You wanna' explain to me what that was all about—how about starting with where you snuck off to this morning?"
He ignored me and turned his attention to Lester. "Santos, go gather the core team and tell them to meet up in conference room B—I want everyone accounted for in ten."
Lester nodded. "You got it Boss," he replied, then stalked off, giving me one last wink before he turned the corner.
I remained where I stood, my arms crossed as I waited. Ranger slowly turned back to me, giving me his blank stare. "I don't have time for this," he said, and then reached down to pick up the kit that lay on the ground. When he stood, he held the box in front of me indifferently. "But later, we are definitely going to have a talk."
Oh so cold—it stung. I hated it when he closed off from me like that.
He turned to walk away with the kit still in his hand but I snatched his arm before he could get away. He let me pull him back but he didn't seem happy about it.
I had his full attention now, and yet I couldn't seem to put any words together. I was thunderstruck as I stared into his deep brown eyes. Behind the chilling mask, you could see the uncertainty beneath the surface. I got sucked into its force field, wanting nothing more then to be consumed.
"Stephanie?" Ranger inquired, pulling me from my stupor.
I blinked, clearing my head and conjured up my focus. "Why are you being like this?" I asked solemnly.
His eyes bore into mine, and I saw a glint of remorse. Looking away and breaking the contact, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I didn't mean for you to take this personally. I just work more efficiently without any distractions." He explained, waving the kit for emphasis. He seemed to be running on a higher level of stress with the new arrivals in town. Something was up and he was torn between personal and professional issues.
I felt a slight stab of pain hit me before pushing it away. I swallowed before I answered. "So am I a distraction?"
His eyes found mine again, seeming to hold more warmth this time. I felt relief as I starred into them. He brought his hand to cup my face, leaning in to speak softly. "Yes…but a very good one," he mumbled as he drew in to brush his lips against mine.
I melted into his kiss as he gently massaged his lips against mine. It was a brief kiss but left such ease and reassurance that I didn't recall why I was upset.
Alright well let me know what you think!
