Yay! An update! Everyone do the update dance with me *dances*. The majority of this chapter was either written on a train or waiting for a bus. I love the feeling of having the ideas flow so freely. Oh! And watch this space for a new little one shot I have to write involving voodoo and body swapping.

Chapter 25

Some things in life are simply too hilarious for words. Carlos crying and storming away like a five year old girl was hilarious, but what happened when we all caught up with him just went above and beyond the realms of hilarity description. I swear to God, it was one of those Is this really happening? moments. Almost like an out of body experience. You might think I'm exaggerating, but seriously, this is exactly how it happened:

We caught up to Bobby, Hank and Lester at the entrance to a candy store. I kid you not. Steph and I were immediately suspicious of what they were doing, because a) I didn't peg Carlos for a candy kind of person (just like I didn't think he was a cake person) and b) Steph knew her husband wasn't a candy kind of guy. I'm pretty sure the Rangemen were aware of this face as well, especially since they each sported a bemused expression spread across their faces. While I stood there trying to work out what the hell they were up to, Steph was a step ahead, already asking the questions running through my head. "What are you doing? What are you up to? Where's Carlos? Why are you grinning like that?" And I would gladly relay the answers to all those questions, except she asked them all in rapid succession, barely allowing anyone time to breath between.

She'd just uttered her final question in the sequence when Carlos exited the candy store – I guess that why we were all congregated outside it. I had to do a double take when I saw him, though. His usually annoyingly perfect face was slightly red and puffy, and a lollipop stick was hanging out of his mouth. I choked on the laughter that burbled up in my throat. This guy had some serious issues right about now. But that wasn't best of all. Oh no. It gets much, much better in the funny department, because when Steph noticed his lollipop she got this really stern look on her face. "I hope you have enough for everyone," she admonished, and Carlos obediently ducked his head and went back inside.

I looked over at the guys, who were all red-faced from holding in their laughter. The moment the door swung closed the gently murmur of voices that filled the moderately busy street was interrupted by an eruption of barking laughter, myself and Steph included in the guffaws. People nearby were staring at us like we were weird.

After a moment or seventeen, when we finally managed to calm ourselves, we all started assuming neutral expressions. Carlos was unpredictable at best and we weren't about to let him catch us laughing at him.

"Oh!" Steph exclaimed suddenly. "I have to pee!" And just like that our fragile composure was shattered into a million teeny tiny pieces. "You guys!" She huffed over our guffaws, still giggling herself. "I'm serious! I neeeeeeed to peeeeee! Don't make me laugh! My bladder is under enough stress as it is!"

With a gallant effort we finally sobered up and Hank and Lester accompanied Steph to a nearby restroom.

"Heard from your Mom yet?" Bobby asked leaning against the store front window and crossing his arms casually over his chest. In his Property of Rangeman get up he looked pretty much like any sponsored athlete, relaxing between training sessions. He didn't fool me though, I wasn't about to forget that he was a security professional, nor that he was medically trained. Odds are he's got a least a little bit of psych up his sleeves as well. I wanted to not trust him for this reason, but unfortunately, of all the Rangemen, Bobby was the easiest to talk to. He didn't smother or hover; he was just there. The way I saw it, I had two choices: keep everything to myself – which wouldn't help anyone – or open up to Bobby. Steph would have been the obvious option, given that a) she gave birth to me (I'm still wrapping my head around that one, but I feel it gives us a connection that may aid our relationship if we get past the awkward stage) and b) she's a fellow woman and understands the needs of women, but after hearing her explanation as to why she rented her womb out to my parents, and considering her current condition, I didn't want to over burden her. I mean, I wouldn't shut her out or anything, that's just mean. I just wasn't going to rely entirely on her for the solving of my life's problems.

So back to Bobby's question.

I sighed and leaned against the window next to him. "Not a peep," I admitted. "My phone's been silent all day. Not even a wish-you-were-here text from Soph and Carls."

"They're the friends you were supposed to go to the beach with?"

I nodded my affirmation. "They usually text me at least once a day. And I haven't heard from David either."

"David?" Bobby asked curiously.

I had to open my big trap, didn't I? Talking to Bobby about Mom, the situation, and my friends was one thing, but boys? Why did I have to dip my toe into those waters?

"This guy I met a couple of days ago," I sighed, diligently avoiding looking in his direction. If I saw his expression I'd blush, and I hate blushing. "He works at this pizza place in Atlantic City... And a convenience store." I paused, wondering what Bobby was thinking, or if he was even listening at all. I delved onward. "We went on a sort of date day before last and I haven't seen or heard from him since."

"Sort of date?" he questioned and I felt his curious glance.

"I'm not really sure what it was," I admitted. "We had a really good time, whatever it was."

"Do you want it to be a date?"

OMG! What's with all the get-into-your-head questions? I was seriously rethinking this open-up-to-Bobby idea. I don't need to be analysed. "Know what," I said on a spur of the moment decision. "Maybe I'll keep the boy talk for Steph."

To my surprise, Bobby let out a long slow breath. "Good idea," he agreed, sounding immensely relieved. A marginally comfortable silence fell over us until the others returned. And then Carlos was back as well, dumping a bag of sweets in Steph's waiting hands.

"It's like Christmas!" she squealed, jiggling in place. "Here," she offered, holding the bag out as she stuck a lollipop in her own mouth. "Take one and pass it on."

I chose a purple flavoured one, because purple is the best flavour in the world, and handed the bag to Bobby. As the bag travelled around the group – Lester tried to take two – I scrutinised Carlos. He seemed to be back to stoic-Carlos, which I think is probably his natural state. His lollipop was gone and his blotchy-puffiness had mysteriously amended itself, almost like he had frightened the imperfections away. Damn him.

With all of us satisfied that we weren't being neglected, we started back in the direction of the SUVs. I'm not sure when they all discussed who was going in which vehicle – I assumed we would all just go back to the ones we came in – but without so much as a significant glance to one another, they sectioned off. Bobby went to the first SUV on his own and I tried to follow, but he shooed me away. So I turned to Lester and Hank as they approached the second vehicle. Lester shook his head. I sighed as the realisation that I would have to ride in the same SUV as Carlos filtered into my brain.

Life is so unfair.

*o*

Ranger was beginning to worry about the state of his mental health. Having mood swings from neutral to angry in two seconds flat was one thing. But crying? That was unacceptable. There was something going on inside him that was seriously unbalanced and he had to get to the bottom of it. Soon. Preferably before it got any worse. As soon as they got back to Rangeman, he decided, he would speak to Bobby and get his professional opinion.

For now, he stood by the last SUV in line with his wife, watching his men buckle up and prepare to leave a short distance away. Not far away was Amabel, slouched against a sign post, muttering to herself.

"Are you okay?" Steph asked him, slipping her hand into his and squeezing gently.

He looked down into her beautiful blue gaze and marvelled anew at how fortunate he was to have her not just in his live, but by his side for all eternity. Briefly tightening his own grip in return, he assured her, "I'm fine, Babe." As she raised her eyebrows at him – probably, she only meant for one to move – Ranger pulled her snug against his side, wrapping an arm around her back. "I'm just grateful you're okay," he fibbed, before softly kissing her hair. There was definitely a lot more going on than him being happy she was safe, but now was not the time to discuss it.

Steph leaned closer, tilting her head back to maintain eye contact. She parted her lips to say something, however, Ranger took it as an invitation, swooping in and covering her mouth with his own. Her body tensed in surprise for no longer than a nanosecond. As his hands skimmed along her back, his fingers burrowing into her hair which today was left to hang loosely around her shoulders, she moaned in encouragement. He tilted her head a little more in order to travel his lips down the column of her neck to her collar. Steph looped her arms around his neck, apparently feeling the need to anchor herself.

Holding his woman in his arms like this helped Ranger regain a sense of who he was. The normal him. The him without an emotional rollercoaster. Without junk in his system. A him that was in control. Revelling in the feeling, he coasted rough, fleeting kisses up the other side of her throat until he once again reached her mouth.

"You tasted like strawberries," he whispered against her lips. He loved tasting the sweetness of her and feeling that slight sugary rush from the candy she ate. This is how it's supposed to be, he though, licking his lips and accidentally-on-purpose making contact with his wife's in the process.

"I have a strawberry lollipop," she whispered, sounding dazed.

"Where did you get that?" he teased, nipping at her lower lip and enjoying the shivers that coursed through his partner's body, causing her to press against him more firmly.

"From some hunky man by the candy store," she admitted.

At that moment Ranger's phone buzzed on his belt. A small sigh left his lips, accompanied by the urge to roll his eyes and he gently untangled one hand from Steph's hair to answer it.

"Speak," he commanded, noting that it was Lester's cell. Wasn't it always the way that whenever he shared an intimate moment with the love of his life one of his men would interrupt? He imagined that was what it was like to have children.

"My, what wonderful phone manners you have," came Amabel's sarcastic voice down the line.

"What are you doing with Lester's phone?" he questioned, feeling the calmness he'd managed to regain in the past few moments slowly seeping out of him via his feet.

"Mine's dead," she responded easily. "Don't worry, I'll give it back when we're done talking."

Ranger hung up, but did not put the phone away, knowing instinctually that the girl would not give up that easily. And right on cue, the phone buzzed again.

"You hung up on me!" she admonished as soon as he put it to his ear.

"You didn't give Lester his phone back," Ranger countered.

"I said when we were finished talking."

Ranger, always one to play by his own rules, stated firmly, "We're done talking." And hung up a second time. It took only a moment for her to call back this time. Frustration welled up in his chest as he removed both hands from his wife and glared over his shoulder at the girl who was no more than three car lengths away.

"Answer the phone!" she called to him, pointing at the phone she held in her hand.

Steph chuckled.

"Why can't she just come over here?" he grumbled.

"Here, let me answer it," Steph suggested, extricating the phone from his grasp. "Hello Mab," she greeted. There was a pause, followed by a twinkle in her eye as she held the phone out to him. "It's for you."

Ranger raised a single eyebrow at her. A challenge.

"Come on, Carlos," she urged quietly. "Just talk to her and see what she wants. He crossed his arms over his chest, prompting Steph to pull out the big guns; she batted her eyes and looked up at him through her lashes, a small pout forming. "For me?"

An internal struggle warred within him as he tried to resist the only person – apart from his mother and abuela – who could ever successfully make him do anything. Eventually, she got tired of waiting for his decision and simply held the phone to his ear.

"Why don't you wanna talk to me?" Amabel asked, sounding hurt, though there was a hint of laughter to her voice.

"Why don't you come over and if you want to talk?" Why was he playing questions with this kid?

"If I walk over there Lester and Hank will drive off and I'll be left with no other choice but to share the same breathing space as you for the entire ride home," she explained.

"You're doing that anyway," Ranger stated.

"I'd rather not," she replied. "You have a tendency to make me feel uncomfortable, and while I've had longer drives, I'd prefer to do this one in a little bit of comfort."

Ranger blinked. He couldn't remember the last time someone had admitted that to him. All the anger and frustration he'd felt toward this kid vanished instantly. "You can go with Lester if you wish," he allowed, surprised by the pang in his chest as he said it. What was happening to him? "But I think Steph would enjoy having your company on the drive."

The dial tone sounded in his ear and he looked from the phone to his wife (who was still holding it) before glancing over his shoulder again. Amabel was talking to Lester as she handed over the borrowed cell phone. What she did next, though, surprised him. Instead of moving to the back door and hopping in, she started toward Ranger.

"Manipulative," Steph muttered. "You always have to get your own way, don't you?"

"I told her she could go," he defended.

"Yes," she agreed. "And I was very proud of you for doing so, but it appears that your little addition to the end has given her a guilt trip and she now feels like she should ride with us for my sake."

"No," Amabel disagreed as she approached, having caught the end of what Steph was saying. "I just thought I should give you the keys to the SUV."

Confused, Ranger looked from Amabel to the keys she held out, to his wife, to the SUV in question, finally asking. "Why do you have the keys?"

Amabel shrugged. "Because I drove."

*o*

Kelly hung up the desk phone and spun her chair to face her fellow nurse. Linda had just returned from checking on a patient in one of the exam rooms and was leaning against the counter.

"I can't get ahold of Carla," Kelly sighed. "And some man answered the phone at the Hathwick's place. I'm starting to get really worried."

Linda came around the counter and picked up her own desk phone as she dumped herself into her chair. "Alright, I'll call the police to check out the Hathwick's place. You keep trying to find Amabel. Didn't you say Carla was at the coast with a friend? Have you tried her?"

Kelly had a small spurt of hope before it was washed down the drain. "I don't have Sophie's number."

"What about her mother? Look the number up online if you have to. We'll find her, Kel. Just keep trying."

*o*

This was it. The moment I'd been waiting for my entire life. I was finally going to see someone's head actually explode. At least, that's what it looked like was going to happen. A vein was ticking in his forehead. The veins in his neck were straining, just like the ones in his arms and hands. His fists clenched. I totes thought he was gonna start screaming at me any moment now, but he didn't. Instead, he turned to his wife and spoke at a normal frequency through gritted teeth.

"Why was she driving?"

Steph rubbed her stomach, seemingly unfazed by her husband's anger. "Because I needed to concentrate on my donuts," she said matter-of-factly.

"Babe!" he groaned. "Our insurance doesn't cover temporary teenage wards."

Steph blinked, looking slightly startled. "The SUVs are insured?"

"Of course they are!"

"I suppose they're the ones that pay for the replacements?" she suggested, looking thoughtful. I wondered what that was about.

Carlos shook his head, seeming to have calmed from his rage of a few moments ago. "No, they don't. Your habit of exploding the SUVs and injuring the men has made things rather tense with the insurers." Right. Now I remembered. She was called Bombshell for a reason. Apparently she was a complete disaster. "The insurers have added a special section to the form to state whether you were involved in any damage or injuries at Rangeman. They won't cover it if you're involved. They see you as a liability."

Huh. That's a bit mean. I mean, even klutzes need insurance. "Wait," I said suddenly, "If the insurance doesn't pay out for the cars she destroys, how do you replace them?"

Steph rolled her eyes at my question. "It's like I've always assumed. He has a guy."

"What do you mean I have a guy?" Carlos questioned, looking a little confused.

I laughed. For a tough guy, he sure didn't know much about tough guy films. I put on a fake Italian-American Mobster accent and said, "You know, I got a guy who knows a guy who can get stuff done." Steph chuckled as Carlos stared at me. "Anyway," I added, "I wanna hear more about these disasters, so I'm coming in your car. And FYI, Carlos, you have a lollipop stuck in your hair."

Don't forget to review! We're getting close to a discovery! I promise!