Chapter 25

Well, fight's over although I'll bet that's not the end of the noise that Beach will raise over the unwanted fact. Let's see if CoverGirl can manage to distract him from fussing.

Same disclaimer as always. I don't own them, only write for fun(and reviews!) not moneys! All hail Hasbro and Hama!

Opening the door for her, he went back to the table and they seated themselves. Everyone ignored the scene that had occurred, chatting up the wary Ranger as if nothing had happened.

Riggins nodded at CoverGirl. "Hey, I heard a bout of RangerBall broke out earlier today. Cops had to show up and break it all up." His placid tone didn't show that one of the table had stormed out minutes earlier. She supposed that a bunch of Rangers on downtime blew off a lot of steam normally.

BeachHead, for his part, nodded and pointed at Stalker. "Yep.. we both got to play. Been a long time since I played any Ranger ball. Lonzo knocked a guy into a car so hard he left a huge dent in the door."

For his part, Stalker rolled his eyes. "I barely bumped him. Besides.. you ran yourself into a tree and knocked yourself cold."

"Ah wasn't out cold! Ah got up!" Beach's annoyance made Stalker laugh. "Anyway.. Ah was the only one takin' out the referee!" CoverGirl shook her head and sighed at him which made him suddenly grin. "And.. I had the prettiest cheerleader." His relaxation showed in the lessened accent.

Stalker glanced over at his wife and shook his head. "Oh no no.. I think I had the prettiest cheerleader." He smiled and caught the raised eyebrow that CoverGirl gave him and cleared his throat. "And.. uhhh.. did you see how Bobby dragged those three guys down the field? And I wasn't the one that knocked two clothes racks down in that store."

Beach shifted to sit back in his chair. "Well, I ain't the one what accidentally stepped on my teammate's head." He gave a smug look over at Stalker as he tossed the lightly veiled accusation.

Stalker was completely unmoved. "Who says it was accidental?" Courtney choked on her drink and he reached to pat her back helpfully. "Easy there... you can't tell me you haven't fantasized about doing that to him too."

While Beach glared, she sputtered and swallowed. "Well YEAH... but I wouldn't admit it." She began coughing again, waving a apologetic hand at her companion. "Sorry..."

He rolled his eyes. "Dang it woman... ya'll all got it in for me. I see how ya'll are. We'll see." He tipped his head back slightly as the food arrived. A heavily laden plate touched the table in front of him and his fork hit the food almost before it landed. Conversation naturally died for a few moments as everyone satisfied the worst of the hunger.

Stalker raised a fork to point at Riggins. "Lane.. you fighting tomorrow?" He stabbed a bite of potato up. "I'm going into the boxing ring, you're about my weight. Just want to know if I should get you drunk enough that you'll be hung over come time for me to climb into the ring with you." The sardonic laugh made Stalker grin. "Awww... as long as I don't have to go up against Squiggy, I'm pretty happy with my chances."

Beachhead's eyebrows went up. "I gotta fight him tomorrow. Not in the boxin' ring of course. Squiggy don't box. He brawls." He snagged the last bread roll from under Courtney's fingers as she reached for it in the basket in the center of the table. She glared at him and sighed and he grinned and offered it to her with a gallant flourish, only to dip his hand out of reach when she tried to pluck up the roll. "Sorry..." He handed it to her.

She pulled the tender bread apart to spread butter on it. "Ranger man, you're a trial at times." Splitting the roll she gave him half anyway. "I have every confidence that you'll win against this Squiggy. You're the best fighter ever." She smiled brilliantly at him as he shifted uncomfortably. "My big strong Ranger.. you'll beat everyone."

"Well.. dang. Squiggy is twice as danged beefy as me." Beach looked uncomfortable. "Ah dunno.."

Corporal Riggins rescued him by speaking up. "Oh.. BeachHead here will get smeared across the ring by Squiggy. We don't even bet against that lug. Nothing personal against you.. understand." He nodded at Beach. "I'm sure you're a fine fighter and really good.. but you know... it's Squiggy."

"Ah know.. Ah know..." Beach glanced at his girl anyway. "Ah'll do mah best.. but.. " He sighed as she wrapped an arm around his neck to hug him proudly.

"Oh Beach! You're too modest! You'll wipe the ring with him!" She continued to smile at him making him more uncomfortable. "I can't wait." She suddenly stopped smiling and looked at Lydia. "Hey, are you going to skip the fighting? I mean.. I hate that you'd be off by yourself again, I know you don't like seeing Lonzo in danger.."

Lydia stopped her with a loud laugh. "Oh honey, I don't miss it when my Lonzo is in a boxing ring! I'll be there, and I'm going to win some serious dough betting on my man too." She cuddled up to Stalker who nuzzled her neck affectionately. "Lonzo is one awesome boxer."

BeachHead cleared his throat which had exactly zero effect on the couple's actions. "Lonzo is a dang good fighter. I'd put my money on him too." When they started kissing, he rolled his eyes and plucked up the menu. "Courtney, you want some dessert?" She snickered at him but leaned on his shoulder to peer at the menu. He shifted it over slightly so she could read it. "They got blueberry pie."

"Well, I know what you'll be getting then." He grunted softly and she hummed. "I think the strawberry cheesecake sounds good. Look at those huge strawberries... mmm.." She wriggled on his arm a bit and felt the muscles tighten slightly. "I do love licking that sauce off a nice plump strawberry."

"Uhh.. yeah.." He shrugged slightly to dislodge her. "Might not look like the pictures, you know." He cleared his throat. "It looks good." He twisted to look for their waiter and waved him over to order the desserts. "I'd give them two a good jab, see if they want any too."

Stalker finally disengaged to look at the waiter. "No.. I think we're done.." Lydia elbowed his ribs and he grunted. "I think that I'm wrong about that."

"Damn right you're wrong, mister. I'm having that carrot cake." She raised an eyebrow as he smiled tolerantly at her. "And you're having the Black Forest cake." The waiter scribbled down the desserts and turned to the others at the table. "Don't argue Lonzo, I can't order two desserts."

"Yes ma'am." He leaned over slightly to speak softly next to her ear. "You know.. I do get to taste some of that dessert. It'll give me more energy for later." His smile widened as she blushed. "Maybe you'd better let me have both those desserts.."

She snickered and turned her face into his shoulder. Beach sighed and rolled his eyes over at Covergirl only to see her sighing happily at the sight. "Oh lawd..." He reached to smack the menu down on the table in front of the couple. "Come on now.. ya'll got plenty of time to go smootchin' in yer room. Ain't gotta go makin' no spectacle of yerselves in public."

CoverGirl jabbed him with a finger making him grunt in annoyance. "Shut up. They're so cute. Why can't you just be happy that they are all happy and in love with each other?"

"Maybe if I didn't feel like I should be paying $5.99 a minute to watch 'em, I'd appreciate the lovey-dovey bits better." He got jabbed again and rubbed his sore ribs, frowning at her. "Would ya stop with the smackin' me?" He grabbed at her hand when she tried again out of principle. "Stop it already! Good gawd woman.."

Courtney jerked at her hand, trying to free it from his loose grip. "Leggo! You are SUCH a pain! Don't you bite me! WAYNE! OW!" She smacked his head as he happily gnawed on her fingers. "Stop that!" He finally spat her fingers out and let her make faces and wipe them on her napkin. "I can't believe you.. sometimes I think it'd be easier to take Junkyard to dinner."

"Yeah, most likely." He quirked an eyebrow at her. "He'd eat less... and he'd probably sit up better at the table... he'd beg ya for leftovers... and ya know what else he'd do?"

She hummed suspiciously at him. "What's that?" She was poised to dodge if he came after her.

It was in vain as his arm snapped out to circle her neck and snatch her over to him. "He'd slobber all over yer face.." Suiting actions to words, he licked her cheek twice before she squirmed free.

"WAYNE!" Although she made an effort to look angry, it was hard as he looked so pleased with himself. "You wait.. payback is a bitch."

He beamed. "Darlin', yer welcome to lick me.. all night long." She reached to tug the collar of his shirt aside slightly. "What.. get offa me."

"You're blushing.. and it goes right down your neck." She wiggled her seat closer to smile at his face. "You are incapable of saying anything even the slightest bit dirty without blushing."

"Ah can so!" He felt his face heat up and cursed under his breath, struggling to remain stoic. "Just 'cause I'm not a crude hillbilly like yer always claimin'.. don't mean.. well.." He reached to adjust his collar back and shifted slightly away from her.

She scooted back up next to him. "Oh come on Waaaaayne.. say something naughty." Her lips moved to just under his ear. "You know.. it would really turn me on.. you saying naughty things to me.." Her voice practically purred into his ear. His breath hitched slightly and she raised her voice. "Oh look.. dessert." Pushing herself back to her seat's regular position, she smiled innocently at him as he looked at her out of dark eyes. "Look Wayne.. mmm... cheesecake."

"Yeah.." He licked his lip slightly. "Cheesecake.." His eyes flicked down over her body and then a deep breath in and out to relax himself. "Looks like the picture." He was under control. He was not lusting after the dang woman at the dinner table in public. It would be utterly ridiculous for him to show any effect she was having on him.. not that she was affecting him. He was the picture of self-control and oh holy god she was sucking the sauce off the spoon right there. Beach watched her tuck the spoon back into her mouth and slowly work her tongue over it as she drew it back out slowly.. oh so slowly..

As it left her wet lips, her tongue flicked out to wipe daintily over her upper lip and then she turned to gaze at him out those shining eyes half hidden under ridiculously long lashes.. shit.. she was talking to him again. How did that thing where you understood English work again?

"Hunh?" He failed to stop himself from smacking his palm into his face at his idiotic reply. Her soft laugh didn't make him feel any better and he split his fingers apart to peer at her as she was waiting patiently for him to collect himself. "Sorry.. what?"

She smiled at him. "I was asking if you'd like a taste." He stared at her for a second before nodding slightly. That's when she held up the spoon and he barely stopped himself from smacking himself again. "Whole bite.. just because I love ya, Ranger man."

"Thanks." He took the spoonful of cheesecake and rolled it around his mouth for a moment before swallowing. "That's not half bad." He tried to think of something witty and suggestive to shoot back at her with, failed and settled for offering her a bite of his pie instead.

"Sharing your pie?" Stalker's amused voice cued Beach that other people did still exist in the world, and more specifically in the restaurant. "Now I know it's true looooove." Lydia elbowed him hard. "Sorry... but he's been ragging on us being all loving.."

Lydia pointed a finger at her husband's nose. "You just leave BeachHead alone." He kissed her fingertip and she smiled. "Actually I don't think you're exactly distracting him right now..." Stalker glanced over and then groaned, shaking his head and laughing softly. "Yeah.. I'm thinking it would take a nuclear bomb to catch his attention."

BeachHead was actually quite aware that Lydia was talking.. he suspected it might have been talking involving him.. he was however, not all that focused on much more than the strawberry that was being thoroughly molested by his grease monkey of a girlfriend. He could feel himself growing ever more aroused as her tongue wrapped around the chocolate and sauce covered piece of fruit, then she slid it mostly into her mouth, lips closing on it delicately. As she sucked gently, she drew the berry back out slowly and he let out a soft sigh. He knew it was a mistake as soon as her eyebrow raised up and her bright eyes filled with mischief.

"What's wrong Ranger man?" She suddenly bit into the fruit and set the stem bit aside. "Mmmmm.. so tasty." As she licked her fingers one by one, she watched him from sultry eyes and he swallowed carefully. "How's the pie?"

"It's... really good." He glanced down at the plate and tried not to roll his eyes. The only bite missing was the one she'd taken. Picking up his fork he began eating his dessert and ignored her. He felt the heat of his skin blushing and cursed inside his head. Stalker and his friends exchanged a few snickers and then turned the conversation back to the fighting competition the next day. Courtney took pity on him and simply joined into the animated talk of who would be engaging which fighter and managed to draw him in when she began making wagers on his behalf.

"Whoa.. don't go puttin' me in no boxin' rings. Ain't happenin'. Nuh uh." Beach was kissed on the cheek soundly as she protested but shook his head. "Nope.. Lonzo can do the boxin' stuff. Leave me at the regular combatives."

By the time they arrived back at the hotel, even Lydia and Courtney's seemingly boundless energy was flagging. Beach got out of the car and stretched himself carefully, stiff muscles protesting. Even without his usual duties doing the PT training of the rest of the team, the day's activities made him feel like he'd been through a battle. Lydia hung on Stalker's shoulder as they walked to their room.

"Sergeant major Sneeden?" The hotel desk clerk was standing on the walkway. "Message was delivered for you." He handed over a envelope and nodded to Courtney politely before trotting back up towards the offices.

She peered at the paper as he slipped his room key through the lock. "What message?"

"I'unno.. let's go inside where there's some light to see." He held the door for her and gave a wave in reply to Stalker's shouted 'good night'. Flipping the locks into place, he glanced at Courtney as she peeled off the jacket to toss aside. Pulling out a folded paper, Beach read it over and his eyes narrowed.

Courtney pulled her hair loose and walked over to peer at the page he held. "That doesn't seem to make sense.." Looking at the bottom of the page she suddenly pointed. "It's from Sergeant Green! Oh, I bet that's code right? Some super secret Ranger code.."

He snorted at her. "Naw.. just Sarge's shorthand." He held up the note for her to look at.

"Chkd issue, Paris chk out no 2, retn keys to 1, Pvt rpted Paris retn keys 4 drvr. No proof, keep QT. Sgt."

She read it over twice and then took a breath. "I assume he was checking into a 'number two truck' you thought tried to run over you? Who's Paris and why is she checking things out for you?" She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

He raised an eyebrow make in imitation. "Oh.. so you don't trust me? I see.." He relented before she could get annoyed. "Amore's first name is Paris. The number two means a 'deuce'. It says he didn't check out any deuce trucks but he returned the keys to one. Then he says it's not proof.. but why would he have had the keys if he wasn't drivin' one of the deuces?" He set the envelope aside on the dresser.

"Wait... Amore's first name.. is Paris?" She rolled her eyes.

Beach snorted at her. "Yeah, trust me, we done made all the jokes. I know he was drivin' a truck. He don't have to check one out to get in and drive it."

Courtney sighed. "Doesn't the note say that he turned the keys in FOR the driver? And that there's no proof? Wouldn't Green know?" She stepped up closely and put a hand on his cheek. "Trust your friend. He is looking out for you, I doubt he'd cover for a crazy warrant officer."

He sighed, giving up in the face of even CoverGirl not believing. "I'm sure yer right." He started pulling off clothing and sat on the one bed to unlace his boots. He jumped when she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Whoa... "

Courtney squeezed anyway. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. Wayne, it's not that I'm saying you're lying. I just don't think someone is actually trying to kill you here at Benning. I know that being paranoid has saved your life more than once though, okay?" She kissed his temple. "So don't stop being wary about everything." Turning loose she stood and began stripping off clothing, which he watched from his seated position with a great deal of appreciation. When she scooped up her night clothes to walk into the bath he sighed and got up to find his sleep pants.

There was a rustling outside of the door and BeachHead frowned. Scooping up the room key, he picked up his handgun and flipped the locks. "Be right back.." he called back to the bath. Opening the door, he checked the immediate area and saw one of Stalker's Ranger friends bent over at his doorway. "What are ya doin'?"

The Ranger jumped and whirled. "Huh? Sorry.. nothing." He stepped sideways to block Beach's view.

Beach cleared his weapon and then tilted his head to look at his friend's door. "Really? Looks to me like yer puttin' a tripwire up on my friend's door." The guy looked nervous. "Looks like it's too high up to trip him too. Ankle height is always better." He nodded genteelly and returned to the room.

As he stepped back into the room, Courtney was sliding under the blankets. "Everything okay?"

"All's fine." He put the gun in the bedside table and stretched, making his spine crackle as the vertebrae popped into place. "You look tired, Barbiedoll."

"I am tired.. long day." She sighed sleepily and he watched her yawning widely.

"You know..." He hesitated, trying for a moment to figure out whether he was about to insult her or start a squabble. ".. we uhh.. we ain't gotta do nothin'.. if yer tired, I mean." She propped herself up on her elbow and he hurried to add. "Not that I don't want to... I do.. but..." He swallowed nervously. "But it ain't all about havin' sex. If yer tired or not in the mood, I ain't gonna be fussin' over it at ya."

Her smile reassured him. "Wayne, that's adorable and gallant and gentlemanly of you." She blinked slowly. "Now bring your fine Ranger ass to bed. I'm cold and I need my hairy portable heater." She laid back and lifted the blankets.

"Oh that's grand.. I'm being nice and you tell me I'm just a handy heat source." He flicked off the lights and crawled into the bed, tugging the covers over them both. She snuggled herself up to his chest, laying her head onto it and wrapping an arm around his ribs. "Am I puttin' out enough heat or should I go catch a fever for ya?"

"Shut up Wayne." Her hand stroked over his chest, tracing the heavy muscles and playing with the curly chest hair. "Are you feeling okay? You've had a hard day." He jerked slightly as she found one of the bruises on his side. "Sore?"

"Yeah maybe a little." He shifted himself around to lie on his side to face her, letting his hand roam over her curves gently. "You know how beautiful you are... do you understand how desirable it is to know yer as smart and as capable as you are gorgeous?"

"Wayne..." She smiled and kissed him softly. "Such sweet words.." Her wriggling around found her body settled in the curve of his, her back against his chest as she spooned up. "So warm..." She scooted her rear end into him and her squirming made him inhale sharply. "Hmmm... sooo good. You don't feel like you're not interested in anything." She swirled her hips again.

Beach inhaled and let out a long breath, his hand stroking along her body. "I didn't say I weren't interested... I just said I'd respect ya if ya said no." He nuzzled into her hair, his breath hot along the nape of her neck. "Do you wanna say 'no'?"

Courtney shivered before pressing back harder. "Oh I'm not saying 'no'.. not saying 'no' at all." She could feel his smile as his lips touched the side of her neck. "That feels so good."

"You feel good... I want to feel you all over..." He proceeded to do just that.

End Chapter

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