Family Ties

Chapter 12

I woke up suddenly, still shaking a bit. Ranger had parked the SUV again, and was standing against the open passenger side door, obviously he'd woken me. I took a deep breath, then reached into the glove box for some tissues to wipe the sweat off my face. I was embarrassed, so avoided looking at Ranger.

He leaned into me, and turned my face to his. "You okay?"

I nodded, looking down. "Yeah, thanks."

He pulled back without a word, and got back in the driver's seat. Once we were back on the road, he asked "They always that bad?"

This time I did look at him. That hadn't been a bad one, but I didn't know how to answer him without saying so.

Of course, he interpreted my look correctly. "How was that not bad?"

I sighed, then ticked off the reasons on my fingers. "I knew I'd been dreaming the minute I woke up, I don't remember it, so I can't still see it, and I feel like I could probably go back to sleep."

He took a deep breath and shook his head. "Jesus, Steph."

I reached out to touch his arm. "They really are getting better, Ranger."

He nodded. "Would you tell me if they weren't?"

I smiled a little, remembering our earlier conversation. "Yes. We're partners, right?"

He barely smiled. "Right."

I was still uncomfortable talking about this, so I changed the subject. "How much longer?"

"We're almost there."

I nodded. A few minutes later we pulled into the driveway of a small house. "We're on the reservation?"

"The edge of it, anyway. Have been for a while." He handed me a set of keys. "Why don't you unlock the door while I get our bags?"

I got out to do just that. I unlocked the door, and fumbled for a light switch. I had just gotten the lights on when Ranger walked in behind me. I liked this house, the furniture was all in light woods and pale colors. Obviously kids lived here, there was a playpen in one corner, and I could see a highchair and a booster seat in the kitchen.

Ranger handed me my bag, saying "Pick a room."

I wandered down the hall, looking into each room as I passed. The first was decorated with lots of sports related paraphernalia, a twin bed and one that was even smaller. Then there was a small bathroom, and the next was obviously a nursery. At the end of the hall, there was a master bedroom with another bathroom attached. I walked back to the kids' room and set down my bag. I came out of the room and met Ranger in the hallway.

"Leaving me the master bedroom?" He asked.

I pointed to the room behind me. "I don't think you'd be very comfortable in there."

He looked over my shoulder and shrugged. "Probably not. Listen, I'm still not going to attack you in your sleep. If you want to sleep in the master bedroom..."

I looked at him, unsure of what to say.

"I think we'll both sleep better, especially in a strange house. If it makes you uncomfortable, I can take the couch."

I paused, feeling awkward again. I mean, I know what I wanted, but...oh hell, might as well just say it. I walked back into the kids' room and picked up my bag. As I passed him in the hall on the way to the master bedroom, I said. "You don't have to sleep on the couch."

I heard him behind me, but didn't turn around. I rummaged in my bag for my shoulder holster and some shorts. I definitely needed a run tonight. Ranger watched as I gathered my things.

"Going for a run?" He asked quietly. I nodded. "Is it okay if I join you?"

I finally turned to look at him. "Sure."

I changed in the bathroom, and was just putting on my shoulder holster in the bedroom when he came back in. He'd obviously changed as well, and was ready to run.

"Steph, can I ask you a question?"

I looked up at him, waiting.

"What happened between the time you fell asleep and the time we got here? All of a sudden you're skittish around me again. Is it the dream, or that I saw it?"

I shrugged. "A little of both, maybe." He raised an eyebrow and waited. "Today was a good day, in more ways than one. Got a lot of work done, and I didn't feel like I was just along for the ride. I felt like...like you knew you could count on me."

"So what changed?"

"I don't know, exactly. I woke up, feeling..."

"What? Talk to me Babe."

I took a deep breath. "I woke up feeling like the same old incompetent Stephanie, needing to be rescued, again. I hate that feeling."

"Okay, one thing at a time. You were never incompetent, and bad dreams aren't going to make you start now. You don't need to be rescued. You're a survivor. You've been through things that most people couldn't even imagine, and you're handling it with grace, and strength. And I do count on you. I have been since this started. You have a way with people that I just don't, and an amazing instinct for uncovering the truth. If anyone can help me find Brennan, it's you."

I stared at him, stunned.

"I've been leaning on you since we left Trenton, and you've both kept me together and picked up my slack. You, Kappy and Sonny got a lot of work done today, not me. I just want you to know it's okay to lean back. That's what partners do for each other."

I walked over to him and put my arms around him, too near tears to speak. He reached around me and started rubbing my back.

"Knowing that you've been training with the guys is just a bonus. I know now that we can cover each other if it gets ugly. If Tank trusts you to watch his back, I trust you to watch mine. Knowing you disarmed Bobby...another bonus. Sexy as hell, but still a bonus."

I pulled away and smacked him on the chest, laughing. "Yeah, well, disarming Bobby was probably a fluke."

He grinned down at me. "Bobby's good, Babe. I don't think he'd allow a fluke."

I shook my head, still laughing. I walked into the living room and started stretching. Ranger joined me. Loosened up, I turned to him. "Ready?"

He gestured toward the door. "Lead on."

I waited for him to lock the door before I took off. Ranger fell into step behind me. I set a steady pace, and kept track of my route, so I could find my way back. Ranger kept silent behind me, and I smiled. Pretty soon, all I could hear was our feet on the pavement, and my own breathing. I started to relax, and quickened the pace a little. By the time we got back to the house, I was covered in sweat. I was pleased to note that I wasn't the only one. Of course, on him it looked good.

We both kept moving, cooling down. Finally I headed to the kitchen to grab some water. I poured Ranger a glass too, and he nodded appreciatively. He finished his first. "Water, Babe?"

I laughed as I finished mine. "Only after a run. At all other times I still like my fluids caffeinated, carbonated, or both."

"Guess not everything has changed."

I yawned, and headed toward the shower. The warm water made me even more tired, but I managed to finish quickly and get my hair braided. I heard the water running in the other bathroom as I returned to the bedroom. That would make this easier. I smiled, remembering the last time I fell asleep listening to him shower. It seemed a lifetime ago in some ways. I was just drifting off when I felt the bed dip under his weight. He pulled me snug up against him, my back to his front, and wrapped his arms around me.

I wrapped my arms around his. "Night, Ranger."

He squeezed me a little, whispering. "Sweet dreams, Babe."