Hello again! So this will the the second last chapter of this story... a sequel is under advisement. Last chapter didn't seem too popular, i would have liked to have more feedback as to why people didn't seem to like it and why some people liked it. ANYWAY on to this chapter. ENJOY!

"Carlos, you've finally got everything you wanted. Why would you risk losing it all?"

Ranger's thoughts were spinning. Lester hadn't called him Carlos in many years, and it was that more than anything that made him realise that maybe this was the wrong decision. He had slowly been losing 'Ranger' and becoming more of 'Carlos', though he realised he would never lose all of 'Ranger'. The thing that stuck in his throat was that fact he had never turned down a mission before. He had always been soldier first, man second but for the first time in his life he had pushed away the soldier side of him. Honestly he was conflicted, the two sides of him battling for what they thought was right, his soldier self and his 'man' self, who was about to become a father.

Maybe Stephanie was right; maybe it was his wounded pride that wanted this more than his sense of justice. Since he had been discharged he hadn't been training as hard as he used to, and his habit of hanging out with his friends for drinks or dinner had led to many more "non-temple" days for his body than ever before. So he was not in prime shape anymore. Although his fitness level was still high above most ordinary people's best, he couldn't help but wonder if it was enough to keep him alive?

He walked into into the apartment on seven, and his eye was drawn to the beautiful photo of him and Stephanie, taken at their wedding. He loved that photo; it calmed him and helped remind him that seven was a place where he didn't need to be Ranger - he could allow himself to be Carlos again.

He stared at the photo for a minute and everything fell into place. Lester was right - he was an idiot! How could he even think of agreeing to that stupid contract! If he hadn't been so smug over the fact that they had come crawling back to him, and wasn't still pissed that they had so easily let him go, he would have seen it for exactly what Stephanie had noticed immediately - a suicide mission. Yes, they hoped he could do it but they weren't exactly going to care if he failed. STUPID STUPID STUPID! When was he going to stop doing things just because his pride was injured? He walked into his office and picked up his phone and called Ella. He asked her to pick up the most beautiful bouquet she could find and bring it to their apartment as a peace offering. He would let Stephanie cool off a bit and then beg her to forgive his stupidity. Once that was done he called his handler; it was time to let him know that he would not be accepting this or any future missions.

Meanwhile, Lester was trying to figure out how to help Stephanie. He knock on his bedroom door, "Beautiful, please can I come in?"

"FUCK OFF!" screamed Steph.

"Beautiful it's just me here, Ranger left. Open the door?

"NO!"

He softly banged his head against the door in frustration. Why did he choose to stay in his apartment with this hormonal, angry woman?

He sighed; Ranger was so going to owe him for this.

"Come on Beautiful, let me in, please? We can talk about what an idiot Ranger is, if you want to?"

Stephanie was tempted; she didn't really want to be alone. She was angry, of course, but she was also scared. She was so afraid she might lose her husband. Her rational side could understand where Ranger was coming from, it's hard to let go of something and he essential changes his whole self-image, but her hormonal side wanted to beat his head against a wall repeatedly until he realised agreed not to go or fell unconscious, this side of her wasn't opposed to either.

"Fine" she said, unlocking the door.

Lester entered slowly and carefully, scanning the room like he would if he was under fire.

"You okay, Beautiful?"

"No Les, I'm not. How can he even consider this? I though he had really changed but now I'm not sure, I want to be the caring considerate wife but I'm eight months pregnant and I just want to kick him." Tear were streaming down her face, and her voice hitched as she gulped in air.

"Beautiful, calm down. Ranger's being an idiot, but the soldier mentality is hard to break away from. He's been a solider for twelve years, Special Forces for ten of that. He'll come around; he just needs to sort it out in his head first. It's a huge step that he didn't just agree to the mission on the spot. Give him a little time and have faith that he will do the right thing. Now I'm taking you to see Bobby - no complaints! You're in your eighth month, as you said yourself, and this kind of stress could be harmful to our little boy. You picked out a name yet?"

Lester was trying to distract her as they walked towards the elevator that would take them to Bobby's level.

"Lester, you know I haven't. I want a name all of us can agree on."

"Beautiful, I love you but I don't care what you call the squirt."

Stephanie pouted. She needed help with the first name - she had the middle names chosen but nothing seemed to fit right.

"But Les, I'm stumped! Nothing I think of or that Ranger suggests sounds right. So far his name will be {first name} Francis Diego Manoso, or maybe {First Name} Diego Francis Manoso. I'm not sure."

Both men had been touched when she chose to use Diego in the baby's name. Since Ricardo was still being an ass, (even if he had apologised, Ranger and Lester would never look at him the same way again) Diego and Ranger had become closer. In fact they had a better relationship than Ranger and his father ever had. Stephanie and Diego also had a special relationship. It wasn't that she didn't love her father, but they were never really close, whereas Stephanie could, and did, confide in Diego. His weekly visits were a highlight of her week, and they always spent some time alone talking.

"Wait til you see him, Sweetheart," said Lester, pulling her into his arms. "the right name will come to you." He kissed her softly on the head. Having her close to him made the world seem bright.

Bobby jumped out of his chair when Lester and Stephanie walked through the door.

"Is it time?" was the first thing out of his mouth.

"No, I just had an upsetting morning and Lester wanted me checked over. I might need a IV; I feel a little dehydrated."

"What happened?" asked Bobby, tentatively. Things still were not back to how they were before and he didn't want to risk upsetting her more.

He directect her to sit on the table, and started taking her blood pressure.

"Ranger being just being Ranger, I guess. He got a call from his former handler offering him some freelance work and was considering taking it. I lost my cool about it."

"Well once a soldier, always a soldier. He'll work out something."

Stephanine was surprised by Bobby's reaction; did he really think Ranger should take the job?

"What do you mean, Bobby? Ranger isn't a soldier anymore, they kicked him aside and now he is my husband first and foremost and he will not be taking a suicide mission! I don't care how many lives it could potentially save! Let them send one of their newbies in. If he wasn't good enough for them before then it's their loss but he is mine now and I'm not letting him go!" she crashed her fists down on either side of her on the bed in a fit of temper.

"That's good babe, coz I'm not going anywhere. Can you forgive me? I was being stupid and I'm so sorry."

Stephanie looked to the door in shock; there stood her man, with his eyes filled with apologies and shame. She smiled up at him; she had really thought it would take him longer to come to his senses.

"Of course I forgive you Ranger, I love you, and you're doing the right thing. I'm glad you're putting your family first."

"That was quick, cuz - looks like you can teach an old dog new tricks" joked Lester. He was glad Ranger had worked it out by himself.

"But Ranger, our country needs you. If they have called you in specifically then it must be something only you can do." said Bobby

"How about you risk your neck for your country then, Bobby?" Stephanie said coldly. "When was the last time you went on a solo mission? Oh wait, that's right, you never have, because you're the medic not the primary. So how about a little hush from the peanut gallery then."

Bobby was shocked. Stephanie had never been that mean to him before. What she said might have been true but he was still a Ranger and he had done his best for his country.

"Babe, that's not fair. Bobby has patched us up in some truly horrible places. He's the best at what he did, just like we all are. He doesn't know the details of the mission, so his assessment is biased. I know you're upset, but that was uncalled for."

"Fuck that Ranger! Bobby been out to split us up from the start; now he's trying to guilt you into accepting a suicide mission!"

"Steph, that's not true! I would never want anything to happen to Ranger. We've had each other's backs since basic training. I was just surprised - Ranger's never passed up a mission before, regardless of the odds. If it is a suicide mission of course I don't want him to go."

"If you have always had each other's backs, then why was it you were so cold to him? If you knew him so well you would know that he could never be the cheater you made him out to be. You haven't been happy with us together since we got back together and I'm sick of it."

"Steph, you need to calm down - your blood pressure is too high. I'm sorry that you think I am against you. I have always wanted what is best for you, and you were right, that was a life with Ranger. I just had my own issues to deal with. I haven't been keeping my distance because I don't support you; I've been ashamed by how I acted. I know Ranger is an honourable and good man. Now calm down before you send yourself into labour."

There was a sudden spike in her blood pressure and Stephanie gasped, hands flying to her stomach.

"Might be too late for that" she said "Coz either the baby is suddenly stronger than before or that was a contraction."

Love it? Hate it? The last chapter is giving m trouble so im not sure when it will be out. I'm trying to make it a worthy ending, but i've had horribl writer's block! Thanks to everyone who had reviewed so far and please keep it up, there are some people who reviewed a lot in the start who have since stopped, is it coz i lost you or have you just not felt the need? If your still reading this please let me know i havn't lost your support. Also to the people reading that havn't reviewed once, Please leave me a quick message so i known you're still liking it, and havn't just been to lazy to take this story off your alerts (like i do, unless i really hate it).