Many, many thanks for your reviews. All mistakes are mine.

Chapter 21

Les hopped on the plane and locked the door. He belted in and James confirmed his departure status with the tower. The plane began to slowly roll to the runway and after a final check, they raced down the runway and into the air. In spite of the reasons for the trip, Les smiled. He loved take-offs. He loved the feeling as he was sucked into his seat and the surge of power as the engines launched them into the sky.

He unhooked his belt as soon as he could and made his way up to the cockpit area. Les was also trained and certified on fixed wing aircraft and liked to keep his hand in when he could. He hoped that James would release the controls so he could fly some on the way down to Florida but with Veronica in the back coming back, he would stay with her and keep her company or attend to her needs if it was required.

Les knew that this was a one-way trip back home for Veronica and while he was sad that she was losing her battle with cancer, he had been in a place that he could do one last thing to help her. He had also assured her that he would stay with her until he wasn't needed anymore. They both realized what he had offered.

He looked at the email that he had received on his phone just before take off. His 'other' bank account was looking a bit the worse for wear but he had a good feeling. Ranger had tried to muscle his way in to pay for the operation in Sweden but he had already set the wheels in motion and the payment had come out. Like it or not, Stephanie was going. It was non-refundable. He would take it up with her when he saw her again. He figured that there would be some fireworks. She did not like to be beholden on anyone and Ranger and Rangeman had taken enough hits. It was time for her other friends to step up.

He settled into the co-pilots seat and put on the headphones, nodding that he was ready and James lifted his hands off in the classic move to give away control. It would cost him a steak dinner, but well worth the price.

Les didn't even want to have the plane fly on autopilot and switched it off, grinning at the quick response of the plane under his capable hands. He wondered when James was taking his holidays. He wanted to petition Ranger and Tank that he assume all the duties of pilot on standby for Rangeman activities.

He advised the tower of his impending arrival and smoothly landed, the wheels barely bouncing on the ground before settling into its return to mother earth. He taxied to the available apron and shut down the aircraft for a quick check and fueling for their return.

Les would go to Veronica and arrange for her transportation back to the plane. James would top up the fuel and get something to eat. He would be waiting to lift off again when they arrived.

They were unsure what method of transportation would be needed whether it be by cab or an ambulance so they made sure the medical equipment was set up and ready.

James would check with the aviation meteorologists for the smoothest route back and file the flight plan.

There was a cab waiting and Les jumped into it giving the address. He settled in for the half hour ride to the clinic and mentally ticked off on his fingers what he needed to do.

Veronica had been adamant that she would be travelling alone. Her personal hand servant had chosen to stay, so they would not need the paperwork for anyone. Passports were a given and he would check that Veronica was armed with whatever papers she needed to return after so many years.

He wondered how Ranger was doing with Stephanie.

~~~o0o~~~

Frank, Helen and Edna were standing by the bed watching as Stephanie woke up from another nap. Once again she had scared them with her health status.

Edna watched her eyes flutter and then open slowly. Her color was much better than when she had been brought in and all reports said that she was resting comfortably and there had been no further damage. The doctor had pulled them aside and confirmed that while it was not a heart attack, it had been concerning to all. He mentioned about the procedure that he had broached with his patient and that while it was not approved yet in the US it was being routinely performed in Europe. He was just waiting for her to give him written permission for the final paperwork to be forwarded to the clinic with the latest test results.

Frank and Helen stood by watching. They had seen that look before when she was growing up. Something was wrong. Her hands were clenched as she struggled to form her thoughts.

"Mom, Dad and Grandma. I have some news. Now, before you go off and start arguing with me, let me talk."

She looked at them very pointedly and all three slowly nodded their heads.

Stephanie spoke once again.

"I'm sure that you have heard of some kind of procedure that's being used to assist hearts to either help to strengthen them or to help until such time as a heart transplant. My doctor and Rangeman's medic Bobby have been in contact with a doctor who was willing to take me on, but the cost of everything needs to be paid for out of pocket."

Her eyes took on a steely dark blue color and she continued.

"I've let them pay too much already and I am going to advise everyone that I refuse to let them pay even more for my care.

I had a meeting with Melanie, my therapist just last week and she feels that we are at a place that I only need to see her on an as-needed basis now. Therefore my conditions for being released are now complete. So, as soon as I can get out of this bed, I'm signing out and signing off Rangeman insurance and employment and living in their building.

I need to start looking after myself. I'll get a job at the personal products factory and if there's a small apartment close by that I can walk to and from, I will be getting my exercise that way.

I can work in the HR department so I will be sitting down and not taxing what strength I have."

She looked at her mother.

"You always wanted me to work there and you should be happy. You won't have to worry about me and won't need to feed me or constantly drive me anymore when I destroy a car. I'm 34 years old, Mom and need to grow up."

The three felt like they had been rocked back on their heels. Here she was just getting back on her feet and she drops this in their lap?

Frank cleared his throat and seemed the only one to formulate words.

"Have you told Ranger this yet, because I for one believe that he will feel very hurt at this decision. Besides the fact that his eyes tell of a very strong affection for you, at our last chat he mentioned how happy he and his men were that you were in the building once again. I think that you are making a very bad decision honey, and it's not just about leaving Rangeman, but that you are turning down what potentially is a life-altering decision."

Stephanie grasped the covers on the bed and grimaced. He had hit upon so many sore points with just a few sentences. Yes she would miss the men, yes she would miss living in the building with all its perks and amenities and most of all she would miss Ranger.

She remembered watching as Ranger had literally stormed out the door after she had told him of her decision.

She wondered if she would even see him again. Probably he would just wipe his hands of her and tell her that he was done, and she couldn't even blame him for that. Once again they would part ways but this time it felt final, somehow.

She thought back. He had taken away her choices and she had fled to her parents house feeling that was her only choice left. Now she had messed up his plans and it sounded like there were serious consequences for a number of people.

Notwithstanding that her health was at risk, she lamented that they both had made mistakes about each other, about events and about even their love life. They both had taken what they wanted and needed and neither had ever said what was in their hearts. He had always said that there was no price but there was a price. Happiness, contentment, love. Those were but a few.

She had never taken responsibility for her actions and her excuse of 'it's not my fault' or 'I had no choice' rang false in every sense of the word. Yes, so many things were her fault and she had stated on so many fronts that her choice was to head in without back-up, or try a capture that was obviously out of her league. Yes, it was her fault.

He had never apologized for taking away her choices but at the same time she had sent so many false signals his way that it was probably impossible to make heads or tails what she wanted or needed or wanted to choose from.

She closed her eyes. They had never sat down and discussed anything that had to do with their lives, and their lives together. That 'talk' had never happened and once again they were heading in opposite directions with no path circling back.

What a clusterfuck this whole relationship had moved to. No wonder nobody knew what they were doing, since neither of them could figure it out either.

Some hidden signal must have passed from Edna to Frank and Helen because Stephanie heard the door close.

"Stephanie, look at me!"

Stephanie literally jumped at the command. She had never, ever heard her grandmother speak like that.

Her eyes opened wide and she shuddered.

Edna had straightened herself up to her full height and was glaring at her granddaughter.

"I lived with a man for many, many years who tried to wear the hair shirt that he should not rock the boat when he was demoted due to his age. I watched as he slowly withered away, losing all desire to continue living and seeing new things and experiencing new firsts. He barely had time to see you start to blossom into the woman you are today before he basically gave up, laying in bed his final days telling me that he didn't want to be a burden anymore. He had so much to live for and he wasted it."

She took a breath.

"That keychain we gave you when you broke your arm? Do you know that that was the only holiday we took? We had so much fun, walking on the boardwalk past all the vendors. As soon as we saw that it was different from one side to another, we knew it was made for you. You are almost like the movie, Victor/Victoria. You display one face to some and the other to others. You don't want to rock the boat and so you curl up into a ball and try to roll away."

She was now pacing around the room and continued.

"Did you know that my Harry used to be a carpenter and made such beautiful furniture. You probably never saw the wooden carvings that he gave to friends and family because he wanted to make them smile. You have the same smile, Stephanie and unfortunately I am seeing the same attitude right now that Harry had when he prepared to die. I always thought that you took after me in my youth, but I see that you have also a very destructive trait like your grandfather and I for one do NOT want to stand around and watch Round Two.

So, take off, run away, again and wallow in your misery, Stephanie. You have friends who have invested time and love in your care. And, oh, by the way, the bill for the surgery has already been paid and is non-refundable and Ranger did not pay for it. He was too late. Someone or a number of someones at Rangeman paid the whole shot."

She was still pacing around the room but her gait was slowing. Her face looked haggard and frankly, old.

She sat down in a chair and drew a shaky breath.

Stephanie's bed was at an elevated angle and she pressed the button to raise it even more. She never even realized that tears were running down her cheeks until she could feel her hospital johnny get wet on her shoulders.

Stephanie wiped the palms of her hands down her cheeks.

"Grandma, I just never wanted to be a burden. I tried to be perfect like Val and never get dirty, or fall out of trees or get called into the principal's office but I just couldn't help it and I still can't get my head around needing to ask for help. That's why I got into so much trouble when I was bounty hunting. I hated to appear to be weak and helpless and needing to ask for help so I tried to muddle my way through the best way I could.

I need choices in my life, Grandma. So many times I have no choice and I'm tired of it. I just want to have choices, Grandma. Hopefully I will make the right decision but I deserve the right to have choices.

I'm laying in this stupid bed and I just want to get out of here and get on with my life."

Edna stood up and walked unsteadily to the bed. She took her granddaughter's hand in hers and squeezed.

"I know honey, I know. But so many people want you to succeed and climb those trees again, and heaven forbid, jump off that stupid garage and fly. They are trying to give you the tools so that you can do that. Nobody wants you to sit around and wither away not wanting to bother anybody. They want you to fly, baby. They want you to fly as high as you can."

By now, both ladies were crying.

The door opened and a nurse came in to do her checks. She took one look and her eyebrow raised. In spite of her tears Stephanie wondered if she was still only one of a few people who couldn't perform that and if she would ever learn.

"I think I'll come back in a few minutes," said the nurse and quietly closed the door behind her once again.

The door crashed open and Ranger stormed back into the room. Stephanie..."

He stopped because Stephanie had put up her hand.

"Slow down there Batman. Instead of paying the big bucks to Melanie to straighten out my thoughts, you should have just made me talk to Grandma. She pointed out a few things and we ironed out some other strange and stupid ideas of mine that needed an adjustment. I heard that the bill has already been paid and I WILL find out who paid, but until then I'm willing to sign the papers and begin to really get better. I have some living to do, and there's a garage that I need to re-visit."

Ranger looked from Stephanie to Grandma and he shook his head. A garage? She wanted to head to a garage? Was there a car in there he didn't know about?

He shook his head as Stephanie and Edna gave each other a hug. He just couldn't imagine what his Babe would be like in fifty years but he was damn sure that he wanted to be around to see it for himself.

Edna stood up after giving her baby granddaughter a kiss on the cheek. She whispered something in her ear then, patted her on the arm and walked to the door.

"I hope that Frank and Helen left. Have you seen Hector around? There's a viewing this afternoon. Mary Carter passed away and I just know that her daughter dressed her in her blue dress suit when she wanted her favorite square dancing skirt with the two crinolines."

Edna nodded at them both as she walked out the door.

Ranger looked at Stephanie as she lay in the bed. He could see the tear tracks down her face and walking to her he gently wiped them away with a thumb on each cheek.

He leaned down and gave her a gently kiss on the mouth and Stephanie reached up and putting both arms around his neck, pulled him closer to her. She gave him a kiss of her own, and then looking in his eyes spoke.

"I love you Carlos Manoso. I haven't told you enough and I do hope to tell you many more times. I really do appreciate all that you have and are doing for me and I promise to get better and then we can have that talk because there are a bunch of things I want to say to you."

Her arms fell back to her side from the effort but her eyes were dancing with excitement for the first time in a long time.

Did she still have a valid passport?

~~~o0o~~~

Les waited patiently outside the room. He could hear the nursing staff assisting Veronica with dressing and packing her small suitcase.

She walked out with her cane in one hand and holding onto the arm of one of the nursing staff. The nurse was carrying the little suitcase in her other hand and handed it off to Les as they emerged from the room. He stepped to her now free arm and held his arm out for her to grasp. He tried not to grimace at how much she was depending on him to hold her steady.

Les guided her to the front door where there was a cab waiting to whisk them back to the airport and the plane.

James was standing by the steps of the plane and watched as Les helped her to maneuver herself up the steps. He had the bag sitting by his feet and carried it up behind them.

Les had already helped her to belt herself into the seat and was offering her a blanket and a pillow to make her journey a bit easier. He was very attentive, trying not to overstep his bounds or embarrass her but trying to anticipate any need she might have.

James stowed the tiny suitcase in a closet and headed for the cockpit area. He settled in and proceeded to start the procedure to fire up the engines. He checked with the tower and began to roll into the que. The aircraft picked up speed and raced down the runway, literally jumping into the air. He turned it toward Newark and set it on autopilot.

Les watched as Veronica fell asleep. The muscles in her face relaxed with the knowledge that she was beginning her journey home. She actually looked happy and her body looked relaxed, and not in pain.

Les sat quietly in a seat across from her and read a magazine he found in a folder on the wall. It was an old copy of Guns and Ammo but the article was interesting and gave some ideas on hunting for sport.

He glanced up at Veronica at intervals then his eyes drifted back down to the pages of the magazine.

Veronica stirred and opened her eyes. She tried to unbuckle her seatbelt but the effort left her tired.

She looked at Les.

"I need to use the watercloset and I can't get free."

Les smiled and stood up, reaching over and lifting the metal snap. He offered his arm to her once again and she gratefully used him as a crutch. He walked her up to the little room and waited as she did her business then emerged. She stood for a moment, undecided on her next move.

"I need something to drink for my pills. What do you have to offer?"

Les opened up the mid-sized fridge and pulled out a number of selections.

"I have water, various pop, orange and apple juice, or you can have some coffee that is sitting in the carafe."

She nodded toward a bottle of water but looked longingly at the coffee carafe.

"I've been having trouble with the American blends lately, and I'm looking forward to having a cup of my blend."

Les pulled out the bag that she had arranged for him oh so many months ago and she almost clapped her hands in glee.

She watched as he began to make a fresh pot of coffee and as the aroma started to drift out of the coffee maker, she took a deep breath.

"I missed this blend."

Les smiled to himself. He had only used the beans sparingly and needed a new supply. He would phone and arrange for more to be delivered as soon as he landed. He knew the foreman.

James voice came over the intercom advising that they were twenty minutes out and to prepare to land.

Les helped Veronica back and helped her belt in.

"We're stopping overnight and I already have a suite arranged for you in our building. We will be picking up a few more passengers to drop them off in Sweden on the way,Veronica. The lady we are transporting needs some surgery and it's going to be done there since the US hasn't approved it as yet."

Veronica pursed her lips. She was not overly impressed that she would be sharing the space with anyone, but a favor was a favor and right now beggars couldn't be choosers.

James shut down the plane by the hanger and waiting was a large black SUV. Once again Les let her lean on him as they deplaned. She slipped into the back seat and sighed. Her strength was waning and she would be glad for the first part of the journey to be over.

She noticed that they drove into a large underground garage and parked right by an elevator. She noted that Les was already out of the vehicle and opening the door to assist her to make her way to the suite.

Les escorted her to the guest suite and watched as she headed directly to what looked like the bedroom. The door closed and he shrugged. He had effectively been dismissed. He scribbled a note and tacked it to the door and tiptoed out. If she needed him, he had left his number.

Les headed for the fifth floor to check in. He needed to confirm what time they were leaving tomorrow and wanted to brief Bobby on Veronica's condition and maybe have him check on her.

~~~o0o~~~

Stephanie lay in bed as more and more tests were performed. She was feeling like a cake that had been poked and poked before the rum was poured over it. She was ready to say to hell with the cake and drink the rum.

Her favorite nurse, Sophia stepped in with her clipboard. She was the consummate professional as she marked down her temperature, respirations and ripped off the tape with her latest ECG.

Ranger had stepped out. His phone had been ringing and he let the two girls chat.

Sophia spoke.

"Everyone's being hush, hush, hush about this, Steph, but I just had to say that I hope it all turns out. You've had such a hard time since your accident and I know that whatever happens you will come out stronger."

She looked around and cheekily grinned.

"I have Joe now and I cannot thank you enough for introducing him to me. We've delayed our wedding until my Dad is feeling better and I would really like you to be my Maid of Honor, if you're feeling up to it. We're looking at at least a few more months and I, for one, can hardly wait."

Stephanie lifted her hand and Sophia put her hand in like a pledge handshake and they both grinned. Since they both knew Joe in every sense of the word, they could console each other at the wait that unfortunately was holding them up from finally telling the world how much they loved each other.

Ranger stepped back into the room and his features were blank. Stephanie looked at him and blurted.

"What's wrong, Batman?"

Ranger looked down at her laying in the bed. He had just been talking to both Les and Bobby on the speaker phone and there was a definite wrench in the works.

"Babe, I just spoke to Les and Bobby and it seems that the person that Les is escorting has demanded that Bobby NOT come anywhere near her in any capacity, especially a medical capacity. She cannot travel that distance without some medical attendant and right now we are in a bit of a holding pattern."

Stephanie lay back. Now that she had made the decision to go, she wanted to get the show on the road and the sooner she was operated on by this Dr. Olson, the better.

Her eyes lit up and she looked from Ranger to Sophia. Ranger, who possessed ESP, looked at Sophia then Stephanie and he nodded slightly.

"So, Sophia, do you have a valid passport and what are your plans for about a week?"