Epilogue

Ranger and I spent the next several days playing and talking and hiding in Tank's cabin. We caught each other up on the highlights of our lives from the last several months and Ranger told me about his family, his daughter, growing up in Newark and the like. Sharing didn't come naturally to Ranger, but I appreciated the effort he was making. I shared my experiences with his Merry Men and Ranger seemed proud that I had gained affection of his men, even if he didn't like the idea of any of them with their hands or lips on me.

We took long hikes, canoed and swam in the lake. Luckily there weren't a lot of close neighbors, because Ranger swam in the same outfit he slept in. In other words... nothing.

We had spent some time getting closer, physically, though we still hadn't made love. I mean, his marriage is a sham, but he is still married. Plus, it was fun building the sexual tension back up and I was enjoying the butterflies that I still got when I kissed him.

When Tank had finally called, he had agreed to man the fort for Ranger and would come get us mid-week.

To be honest, I was dreading the return to Trenton. Ranger and I had built an idyllic world at the lake cabin, but Trenton and the Haywood Street building had some harsh realities we had to face. Like the fact that Ranger was still married for at least another month and had to keep the show going until Carmen's permanent green card was secure. Then there was the small thing of some Merry Men, and one in particular, that I had to face.

Tank helped me by getting all six guys together at Shorty's for dinner the night we got back into town. I was so nervous that I was sure I'd be sick. I had known from the start that this encounter was going to be uncomfortable, and that was before I was with Ranger who to their knowledge was actually married.

We all gathered around the same table where all of this started less than two weeks ago. I laughed as I thought about how uncomfortable and nervous I had been that night. It was amazing how that had changed. No, instead of feeling tense being in close proximity to these guys I was now worried that after I told them my decision, they wouldn't want to see me again. I though back to that night and realized how much I had enjoyed getting to know these men and how lucky I was to have them in my life. I now had a big brother in Tank, a cooking tutor in Bobby, I knew I could call Vince if I wanted to watch a game on TV, or Hal would always be up for a thrill and Woody could handle dinner at my parent's house anytime. And, I learned that in Lester, I had the love and support of a very good friend.

I waited until we had finished eating our pizza to talk about the reason I had assembled them. I had opted for Coke instead of beer tonight and I had concentrated on keeping my enjoyment of my dinner to myself.

As the last of the pizza slices disappeared, I cleared my throat. I wasn't much for speech making so my nerves were evident when I shakily said, "Guys, I wanted to thank all of you for an amazing week. I can't believe how lucky I am to know and work with such incredible men. I wouldn't trade the time I got to spend getting to know each of you for anything the world."

The guys chorused their agreement that they had enjoyed their time with me.

"I hope," I continued, "that we can continue to be friends." Why did I feel like I was giving the 'Let's be friends' break-up speech?

"You know we all care about you Steph," Vince said. "No matter what happens now, that won't change."

"He's right Darlin'," Woody added. "We all knew getting into this that we could lose our hearts to you, and might not get them back." He winked at me. "It was part of the risk. We won't hold it against you."

The rest of the guys nodded their agreement. I looked at Lester and could see that his expression was a little more guarded. This past week, he had revealed more of himself to me, he had more at stake than the rest.

"So, what have you decided?" Bobby asked.

"Well, I've decided that I care about all of you, but friendship is all I can offer. Any of you." I felt myself tearing up, and felt Tank's strong arms pulling me in for a big bear hug. He of course understood what lay behind my decision. None of the other guys did, yet.

"Hey, Steph, it's okay." Hal said and scooped me into his arms when Tank had released me. I was passed around the table to all the guys and was relieved that they weren't angry. I realized when I got around to where I started, that Lester had been missing. Somewhere in there, he had left.

I saw him walking out the front door and ran after him into the parking lot.

"Lester, wait," I called.

He stopped, his back was toward me, his hand was on his car door handle. His shoulders slumped.

"Please, let me explain," I pleaded.

"It's okay, you don't have to explain. I'll be fine, I just didn't want to lose it in there." His voice was tight.

"Can we talk, please?"

He blew out a sigh and turned. "Sure. Do you want to talk here?"

"No, will you drive me home? We can talk there."

"Alright," Lester walked around to the passenger side and opened the door for me.

I slid in and I pulled my cell phone out and told Tank where I'd gone and asked him to say goodbye to the others for me.

We drove in silence and then walked up to my apartment.

Lester sat down on my couch and looked down at his hands. He took a deep breath and said, "So, did you have a good time with Ranger?"

I was stunned. I sat down on the couch next to him. "How… How did you know?"

"Well, you've both been mysteriously missing since Sunday. And, I knew something was up when you came in tonight, you look... happier than I've seen you in months. You're glowing. Plus, you smell like him." Lester held my gaze with his.

I swallowed, Lester deserved the truth. I had asked Ranger if I could tell Lester the whole story and he had agreed that it was only fair. "You're right. I was away with Ranger. His marriage is just an act. He and I have worked things out and we are... gonna give a relationship a shot."

Lester nodded and stared fixedly into space.

"Lester, I'm sorry. I care a great deal for you. I hope we can still be..."

Lester cut me off, taking my hand in his. "I meant it when I said that I'd support whatever decision you made, as long as you're happy. He just better be good to you, Beautiful."

I nodded in acknowledgment of his pledge. We sat there for a few moments in silence.

"So, it's back to Beautiful now?" I asked lightly.

Lester smiled sadly, "Yeah."

He stood, "I should get going. Wouldn't want Ranger to get the wrong idea. I value my life too much." He pressed a kiss to my forehead and walked to the door.

"Thank you, Les," I called to his retreating back, "I don't think I would have made it through the past two weeks if it hadn't been for you. I value your friendship very much."

"Me, too," Lester said quietly turning around. "You'll always have it," he vowed.

The next day, I went into the office, a little uncertain. I wasn't sure how things would go, but it was actually back to business as usual. My inbox was overflowing because it had been a full week since I'd gotten any work done. I was ready to kill Rodriguez by 11AM since I had made little more than a dent in the backlog.

When my phone rang, I got excited. Anything to break up the monotony of the endless searches.

Ranger was on the phone.

"Babe," he said with a smile in his voice, "can I see you for a minute in my office?"

"Right away, boss," I said with a mock salute to the security camera I figured he had pulled up in his office.

I walked into Ranger's office through the partially open door. I heard the door close behind me and I was pressed up against it in a flash. Ranger was molded against my length and he was kissing me to within an inch of insanity.

When we broke apart, we were both breathing heavily. "Babe, I missed you last night," Ranger said with his forehead resting against mine.

"Me, too. This is gonna be a long month." I said sulkily.

"Good news. Carmen found out that her application was approved, she is just waiting to receive the paperwork and then we will be able to officially divorce."

I hugged him at the news and he swung me around in circles while pressing kisses over my face. We were both laughing when he set me back on my feet.

"It's a good thing, too," Ranger said when he'd caught his breath, "because there is no way that I'll be able to keep my hands off you or my lips off you or my mind off you for very much longer." With his words he rained kisses on my head and cheeks.

Ranger held my head in his hands and looked into my eyes. "Babe, I feel like the luckiest man alive to be with you. No deals, no games… just love. I love you so much, Babe."

Ranger leaned his head toward mine and I met him halfway in a tender kiss. And as I melted into him, I smiled against his mouth. Game over, Ranger won.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A/N: Well, this is the story the way I initially imagined it and I hope you all enjoyed it. Please let me know what you think. The thing is, by about Chapter 4 I fell in love with Lester (and judging by the feedback I've gotten some of y'all did too) and it wasn't easy to break his heart. In fact I have wanted to write an alternative ending where my favorite Merry Man gets his shot. So, I'm am. I'll be writing an alternate Chapter 18 and epilogue which will lead into a sequel to The Dating Game. Die-hard Babes can stop here and be happy with a Steph/Ranger ending. Those of you who are interested in what-ifs, stay tuned...

Thanks to everyone who had kind words and encouragement to offer along the way. The feedback is greatly appreciated.