Disclaimer: Still not mine.
FINALLY! The chapter that everyone has patiently been waiting for. I know you all were waiting for this yesterday, and I'm sorry to let you down. But...I figured this was a good way to end the week. Have a great weekend and I'll see you all on Monday! : D
Thank each and every one of you who took time to review. I truly appreciate the encouragement! Keep them coming!
Potterwench...you're an amazing beta and very special friend. I couldn't do this without you. Love ya girl!
Chapter 25 - Together Again
Inside the office, Ranger and the guys listened as Luciano screamed at Stephanie. The second they heard her whimper, they drew their guns and were waiting for Luciano to return. Bobby and Cal stood ready for anything and Tank was up and standing beside Ranger when the office door got thrown open, Luciano stepped in holding Stephanie in front of him. His gun pressed firmly to her temple and the rage in his eyes was plainly clear for Ranger and Tank to see. Luciano looked around the room at the four men and sneered.
"I thought I would find out that you all were a part of this. I'm surprised it took you so long Manoso, I thought this piece of ass of yours meant more to you than that! Did you even really miss her or was she replaced too quickly to worry with?" He squeezed Stephanie tighter.
"It's over, Luciano. Let her go and we'll let you live." Ranger's voice was hard and his gun was trained on the man holding his Babe.
Luciano sneered again and his eyes turned wild. "I HAVE NOTHING TO LIVE FOR! You took away my wife. She was pregnant with my unborn son! YOU and your men killed them!"
"It was your father's guard who pulled that trigger, not my men. I'm sorry that she died, but we didn't have anything to do with hurting you or her. We didn't even know you were there. Hurting Stephanie will not bring Malena back." Ranger tried to reason with the man, but everyone there knew that it was no use. He was beyond crazy and extremely high on cocaine.
"It was because of you that she died! It was because you were there that she was taken from me!" Luciano felt Tank moving closer, so he quickly turned his gun and fired then pressed his gun back to his captive's head. Stephanie screamed as she watched Tank fall to the floor.
Everyone was quiet. The guys kept their eyes on Luciano as Stephanie watched Tank. She prayed that he wasn't dead. She wouldn't forgive herself if he died trying to rescue her. It was her fault he was here. It was her fault that he got shot. Stephanie let out a sigh of relief when she saw Tank move and heard him groan. She figured then that he was wearing a bullet proof vest since Luciano had shot Tank close to the heart.
"If anyone moves again, I won't waste the bullet on them. I kill your bitch instead!" Luciano screamed at the room making everyone tense even more than they already were. He felt Stephanie squirm, so he tightened his grip and pressed the gun closer to her head.
"I said not to move!" Stephanie stilled and looked at Ranger with panic filled eyes. "You've taken my wife's place in my heart, but I won't hesitate to kill you. I know that you're not her, and I've been fooling myself into thinking that you cared about me. I see by this display of treachery that you don't care about me at all. Now, I don't care if you die!" Luciano twirled Stephanie around to face him and placed the gun to her forehead right between her eyes.
"My original plan was to kill you in your apartment and leave you for your boyfriend to find, but then I saw you. You reminded me so much of my Malena. Your hair was the wrong color, but they have hair dye for that. I knew that God had sent you to me to replace what I'd lost." Luciano stepped closer, never removing the gun. "Then I found out you were pregnant and knew, then, that you were meant to be with me. God took my son and my wife, but He gave me you and Luc Jr. to replace them." Luciano kissed Stephanie fiercely making every man in the room growl.
Keeping his gun trained on Stephanie, Luciano turned to Ranger. "Does it bother you, Manoso, to know that your love has been in my bed for the past year? Does it bother you to know that's it's been me making her scream? Does it bother you that it was me who watched your son come into the world? Does it bother you that it was me who cut his cord and it was me who held him first? Does that make you mad? Does that infuriate you?"
The look on Ranger's face would have made most men cower in fear. However, Luciano just started laughing. "It does bother you! Good! You'll live your life knowing that I was the last person to touch your woman. It was my hands on her, not yours."
The guard in the office turned his gun and attention to the door when he heard a noise. Paul stepped in and Luciano smiled. "Well, it seems like the odds are beginning to shift into my favor!" Paul turned his gun onto Bobby and Cal and gave them a brief nod. "Trevor, run to the control room and sound the alarm. I want every available person in this room. Our guests are going to tell me what happened to my son and then they're all going to die."
Trevor nodded once and exited the room leaving Paul standing behind Luciano. The man was just too trusting. Paul quietly closed the door and stepped up closer to Luciano.
Stephanie saw him looking intently at her and she understood his unspoken command. Paul's voice was loud when he spoke. "Who do you want me to shoot first boss? The Bitch or the men?" Luciano sneered and looked around the room.
"Take your pick, Paul, just leave the Bitch and the Baldy to me. They're going to have a little fun with me before they die." Luciano was distracted enough by Ranger's slight movement that Paul made his move. He nodded at Stephanie and as she was moving her head to the right, away from the gun, Paul brought the butt of his gun down onto the back of Luciano's head. Luciano's gun fired as Stephanie fell to the floor.
Ranger watched the whole sequence in slow motion. He knew what Paul was going to do and he knew it was the only way. They had to hurry because if the other guard sounded the alarm, they would all be screwed. They needed to get out of there as soon as possible. Ranger's heart stopped when he heard the gun fire and then his worst fears came true seeing Stephanie fall to the floor. He fell beside her instantly and cradled her to his chest.
"God, Babe, no! Babe, look at me! Please tell me you're okay." Stephanie heard his frantic words and realized that her eyes were closed. She let her mind calculate if she was hurt anywhere, and when it came back negative, she opened her eyes and looked up at Ranger.
"I'm fine. I'm not hit." She saw his relief instantly as he pulled her up and crushed her into his arms. "I'm okay. I promise that I'm okay!" She kept repeating the phrase over and over. She didn't know if she was trying to convince him or herself.
Hearing not one, but two gunshots, Les and Hal came running into the office. They looked around at the scene with eyebrows raised. Cal and Bobby were holding Tank up and were helping him toward the door. Paul anxiously looked out the door and knew that the group needed to leave.
"Uhhh...I hate to break this up, but we're going to have company really soon. You all need to get out, NOW!" He watched Ranger and Stephanie slowly pull apart. Ranger stood quickly and pulled Stephanie with him.
"Les and Hal, pick up that piece of trash. He's coming with us." Ranger pointed to the unconscious man lying on the office floor. They followed orders and lifted him up. Ranger had Stephanie close to him as they all moved toward the office door. Stephanie stopped and looked at Paul who was moving further into the room.
"What about you? Aren't you coming with us?" Stephanie asked him with sadness filling her voice.
"No, Sweetheart, I'm going to stay here and make sure no one knows who you all are. I'll say that I was jumped from behind and when I woke up, everyone was gone; including you and the boss." He smiled at her when she nodded. Everyone in that room knew that they were looking at the newest addition to RangeMan Trenton. "Now go! I got this!"
The team all exited the office and the house without running into any guards or guests. There was a van right beside the front door waiting for them all with Hector smiling from behind the wheel. Once all of them were securely fastened inside, Hector sped away from the house. He stopped down the road and picked up Rodriguez who was waiting just in case there was an emergency.
The second Rodriguez hopped into the van, Stephanie began to panic. "Where is CJ, Dante? You were supposed to get him out. We have to go back. Please, we have to..." Ranger placed a finger to her lips to stop her from talking.
"CJ's safe and sound at the hotel with Junior. I wouldn't leave him behind, Babe." Ranger's voice dropped to a whisper as he rested his forehead against hers. She had tears falling down her face and the guys turned away, so they could pretend that they didn't see the tears on Ranger's face, also.
The rest of the ride was made in silence. Stephanie stayed tucked into Ranger's side. He whispered soothing words in Spanish to her. The guys tried not to listen, but it was hard in such a small vehicle. They were amazed at the words coming out of their boss's mouth. They all knew that he loved her, and his words echoed that love and devotion. Even though she couldn't understand them, Stephanie heard the emotion behind them. She knew in her heart what he was saying to her.
Bobby checked Tank over in the van and decided that he didn't need to go to the hospital. Hector pulled into the hotel parking lot and parked the van. Everyone piled out and Ranger and Stephanie were left alone for a brief second. "Do you want to shower and change first, Babe, or go see CJ? I'm sure he's sleeping, but we can still go check."
"I need to see my baby. I need to make sure he's really okay." Ranger nodded and helped her out of the van. The second she stepped outside she was engulfed in Les' arms.
"Beautiful, I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am to have you back." Stephanie felt his tears on her bare skin and hugged him equally as tight. She didn't get to stay there long though before Bobby had her in a bear hug. Each man took their turns hugging her and welcoming her back into their lives. There was not one dry eye in the bunch and none of them even seemed to care. Their light was back, brightening the dark recesses in their souls.
The last man waiting for her was Ranger. He waited patiently while each of his friends and co-workers held her. He knew what her death did to each of them, so he didn't begrudge them the opportunity to hold her for a few minutes. He knew his time would come again and he wasn't going to let her go. He used the few minutes to remove most of his disguise. He wanted to be himself when she got to him again.
When she finally stepped into Ranger's arms, he wrapped them protectively around her. She melted into his embrace and breathed in his unique scent that she'd missed so much. That scent did what it had always done for her; it calmed Stephanie and made her feel like nothing could hurt her. For the first time in a year, she felt totally safe. She couldn't stop the tears from falling, Stephanie didn't even try. Ranger's own eyes were unable to stay dry holding his love in his arms. After she'd calmed, he lifted up her head, so he could look into her face. Like the sky after a storm, her eyes were clear and crystal blue.
Ranger knew he needed to step into boss mode for a few minutes before he could relax with his family. "Santos, Brown, and Hector...take that piece of trash back to Trenton tonight. Tell everyone in the building nothing about Stephanie being alive. I don't want gossip getting back to her family before we get there. Tell the pilot to rest a day or two and then come back for the rest of us. He can call me when he lands here. We'll be ready to go." The three men nodded and after hugging Stephanie again, climbed into the van and drove off. Luciano would be waiting for them when they got back.
"Come on, Babe. Let's go up and see our son." For the first time in so many months, Stephanie actually smiled a full smile. Ranger led her into the hotel and up to the suite where their son was sleeping. They'd changed to a better equipped hotel earlier that day in order to have better surroundings once they got Stephanie and CJ back. Ranger didn't want his Babe or his son staying in the small, dirty rooms they'd used to plan the mission.
Junior was sitting on the couch when he heard the door to the suite open. Even though he knew only Ranger and the guys knew about the room he still pulled his gun immediately and pointed it in the direction of the door. Hearing Ranger's voice made him lower his weapon. "It's us, Junior. Stand down."
Once Ranger heard the safety click on the gun, he directed Stephanie around the corner. Her eyes fell on the crib sitting against the far wall. She saw a bundle lying in the bed and immediately walked over and picked up the sleeping child. She cuddled him to her chest and suddenly everything she had been through hit her.
The fear and the anger that she'd felt for the past year came crashing down and she collapsed onto the floor clutching her son against her chest. Huge wracking sobs escaped her body as she held him close. Ranger sank down behind her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his protective embrace. He didn't know what else he could do for her.
Seeing the scene in front of him, Junior decided to leave the newly reunited family alone and quietly made his way out the door. Rodriguez was standing outside the door at parade rest but paying attention to everything around him. He didn't want to go in the room, instead he was taking up guard duty. Junior raised a single brow at him.
Rodriguez shrugged. "She's my partner and she's distracted. I'm guarding the door until Ranger tells me to leave. Tank's one room over whining about bruised ribs from being shot." Junior understood and nodded as he smirked. Being shot in the vest hurt, he felt for Tank. Junior positioned himself on the other side of the door and looked at Dante.
"Ranger's distracted too. We'll watch both their backs until we're told to leave." Rodriguez smiled slightly and went back to watching the empty hallway.
Inside the hotel room, Ranger finally held his family in his arms. His tears mingled with his Babe's as they sat on the floor next to the crib. CJ stayed asleep and had no idea of the emotional turmoil going on around him. After several minutes, Stephanie finally got herself under control and pulled back from Ranger, just a bit. She saw tears on his face and gently reached up to wipe them away. Ranger smiled his thanks before looking down at the sleeping infant.
"Can I hold our son, Babe?" Stephanie smiled and offered the sleeping bundle to Ranger. He gently took him from her arms and cradled him closely to his chest, never taking his eyes off the infant.
Not wanting to break the spell in the room, Stephanie whispered in a small voice. "I named him Carlos Joaquin. I hated when I had to call him Luciano, Jr." She gently traced the baby's face and then looked at Ranger. "He looks a lot like you."
"He does, but he's got your blue eyes and your ears. He's perfect, Babe." Ranger turned and pulled Stephanie into his side with his free arm. He placed a kiss on top of her head before turning his gaze back to his son.
After several minutes, Ranger sighed and after standing, placed CJ back into the crib. He bent and kissed him gently on the head before whispering something in Spanish to the sleeping infant. He then held his hand out for Stephanie. When she placed her hand in his, he gently lifted her onto her feet and wrapped his arms around her again. "Let's get ready for bed, Babe. You're exhausted and I'm not far behind you." Stephanie smiled and nodded. Ranger pulled her into the bedroom and pushed her toward the bathroom.
"Take a shower. I'm going to call the guys real fast. I need to make sure Tank's okay and that the others got off the ground." Stephanie nodded and walked into the bathroom. She took a fast shower, washing off every touch and memory lingering on her skin. Stepping out of the glassed enclosure, she smiled seeing the familiar black T-shirt and a comfortable pair of underwear waiting for her on the vanity. She threw on the clothes and stepped out of the bathroom not expecting to see what she did.
Ranger was sitting, shirtless, on the bed with this head cradled in his hands. Looking upon the once confident man looking so defeated broke Stephanie's heart, so she slowly walked toward the bed and kneeled down in front of him. She had no idea what was going on in his head, but she wanted to comfort him. "Ranger?" Her voice was whisper soft. He didn't pick up his head at her words, and she began to worry. "Please talk to me, Ranger. Don't shut me out." She placed her hands on either side of his head and gently lifted it up so that she could look into his eyes. What she saw in them made her suck in a breath.
Stephanie had seen Ranger in many situations, but she'd never seen him scared before. The haunted look behind his eyes held such fear and terror. She had no idea what he'd gone through since she'd 'died'. She had no idea what he'd been doing the past year. A lot can change in a year and Stephanie thought maybe his feelings toward her had changed. Since he wasn't talking to her or even really looking at her, Stephanie made a move to stand up to give him space but Ranger's hands stopped her movement.
"I've..." Ranger's words were quiet and he had to stop and swallow the tears. "I've dreamed of this for so many months. When you died, part of me died with you. My life ended with yours and the only time I felt whole again was in my dreams. I loved dreaming that you were in my arms again. I loved holding you, but I always woke up and the nightmare of real life started again." Tears filled his eyes and streamed down his face. Stephanie kissed them away and waited for him to continue talking.
"I'm so scared, Babe. I'm scared this is a dream and I'll wake up and you'll be gone again. I won't survive if you go away again, Babe. I need you so much." Ranger fell silent again and hung his head. Stephanie scooted closer and grabbed his hand; placing it over her rapidly beating heart.
"Feel that, Carlos. Feel my heart beating. I'm alive and I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." She dropped his hand and pinched his leg hard. He grimaced at the pain and looked at her. "You're not dreaming. I pinched you. This is real. I'm here. You're going to wake up tomorrow, and I'm still going to be here. You're going to wake up every day for next however many years with me in your arms!" Stephanie realized what she said and thought maybe she was assuming too much. Maybe he had another girlfriend. Maybe he didn't want her. Ranger saw her internal thoughts and knew he had to set her straight immediately.
"I told you in my letter, Babe, that I want you. I'm going to marry you. We're going to have more babies together. You ARE going to wake up in my arms for many, many years." Tears fell from her eyes. "We have so much to talk about, Babe, but tonight...I need you. I need to touch you and I need to kiss you." Ranger pictured Luciano's hands on her and felt the rage build. He prayed that she would feel comfortable enough with him for them to make love. He wasn't lying when he said that he needed her.
Seeing the torment in his eyes, Stephanie reached up and cupped his cheek. "He never touched me like that. He was lying. He only touched me a few times and kissed me. He never..." Ranger didn't let her finish. Hearing her confession spurred him into action and he did what he'd wanted to do ever since he saw from the binoculars. He kissed her. He fused his lips to hers and felt her melt into him.
*~* Smut *~*
Stephanie knew he was on edge, so she kept her kisses light and gentle while his were desperate and full of need. Stephanie groaned when she felt Ranger pull her into him more. His tongue made its way into her mouth, battling with her own. Stephanie gave in to the demands of his mouth and kissed him back just as feverishly. She ran her hand up his bare chest, stopping to scrape over his hardened nipples.
All sane thoughts left his mind as Ranger moaned into her mouth. He needed her and she needed him. That was all that mattered to both of them. He suddenly stood up from the bed, breaking the kiss, but only for a second. He lifted her up by her legs and slammed her against the wall. She gasped out, but only briefly because his mouth was instantly back on hers. As their cores thrust together in a dance of passion, Ranger's mouth once again took possession of Stephanie's. He refused to ever let her go again.
His kisses became so demanding that Stephanie didn't think she could take anymore. The fire burning inside of her was a step away from being painful and she feared she'd combust at any moment. She ground her overheated core against his erection, trying to find some sort of release. Ranger took the hint and removed his mouth from hers and started to make his way down her neck, sucking and nipping her sensitive flesh. He made sure to mark her. He wanted the world to know just who she belonged to.
"Carlos!" Stephanie couldn't stop from moaning his name when she felt his large warm hand slide up the black T-shirt and palm one of her breasts. Ranger grunted mid-kiss when the T-shirt got in the way of him getting to the other breast. He pulled his mouth away and tore the offending article of clothing from her hot body. Desire clouded his mind, and he welcomed the feeling. These feelings distracted him from the thoughts he'd had earlier. The fear and sadness that he'd felt for the past year were gone, now, in their place instead was a feeling of raw and unadulterated passion.
Ranger couldn't take anymore. Stephanie's moans and undulations against him were too much and he had to have her. He reached down and ripped the cotton panties off her body. Stephanie gasped out at the shock, but groaned when his finger entered her. She leaned her head back in ecstasy at the feeling of his long, thick finger moving inside her. Ranger smirked into her neck when he felt her grip his shoulders. He inserted another finger and started pumping more steadily than before. Her pants became quicker and he knew she was close so he slowed down.
"Damn it, Carlos! Let me cum. I need to cum, please." Hearing her beg made him even harder behind his cargos. He didn't want her to cum without him being inside her so he quickly undid his cargos and shoved them down, freeing his throbbing erection.
Stephanie moaned feeling his massive erection at her entrance. It had been so long since she'd felt him and she was craving to feel him inside her. Ranger recaptured her mouth in a possessive kiss at the same moment that he slid home into her. Ranger hadn't been with anyone since Stephanie and he knew from her tightness and her words that neither had she. "Fuck, Babe!" He stilled inside her. Gathering some semblance of control and letting her adjust to his size. When Stephanie's nails scraped down Ranger's bare back, he moaned into her mouth from both the pain and the pleasure of her assault.
Ranger started thrusting into her desperately, trying to find his release because he couldn't hold back any longer. He knew from Stephanie moans and whimpers that she didn't mind his aggressive assault. She met every thrust with her hips. Their kiss turned more passionate as he pounded into her with increasing force and speed. Ranger ever so slowly moved his hand between them and found her swollen nub. He began to slowly stroke it in time with his thrusts.
Stephanie's eyes widened in shock, and she was so close. But, she didn't want to scream and wake up the baby, so she attached her mouth to his gorgeous neck. She sucked and nipped on his skin as he continued to assault her. Ranger gave her a moan of appreciation and sped up his thrusts. His movements became quicker and he felt her walls clench around him. He felt her bite down on his neck to muffle her cry of release and after a few more strokes, he climaxed with her. He had to bite the inside of his mouth to keep from screaming out in sheer joy. She was alive and he was inside her once again.
Ranger thrust a few more times, drawing out their orgasms as long as possible. When they had both came down from their highs, Ranger felt weak and was struggling to keep them both upright. He gently lowered Stephanie to the floor, her body never leaving contact with his. They stood still for a few minutes, panting together. Their slick bodies pressed tightly together. Ranger heard Stephanie moan in satisfaction and he began to harden again against her stomach.
Resting his forehead against hers, Ranger let out a calming breath and looked deep into Stephanie's eyes. "I love you so much, Babe."
Unable to stop them, Stephanie's eyes closed at his words and she felt them fill with tears. "I love you, too Carlos. Always."
Ranger lovingly stroked her face until Stephanie opened her eyes again. Once her blues met his brown, Ranger smirked. "You ready for round two, Babe?" Stephanie smirked back and couldn't stop the moan. She was beyond ready for the next round. They had a lot of lost time that they had to make up for and they had all night to do it.
A/N - So there you have it. She's safe and sound back in Ranger's arms. They've still got a little ways to go to their HEA, but it's a little closer than before. Please let me know what you thought. This has been a traumatic morning already so I could use a little love.