SHADES OF GRAY
Chapter 38
There was the alarm on his black watch that went off. It was laying on the nightstand.
"Five more minutes, Carlos. Please," Stephanie's voice was cracking. Her curls sprawled across his chest and her grip tightening around him.
Ranger had no desire to leave Stephanie any sooner than he needed. His duffel and a few of his own personal weapons were in Bobby's apartment down the hall so all he needed was a quick shower and change into fatigues. Wrapping his arms around her quivering body, he could feel how tight her muscles were trying to control it, "OK, Babe."
"You better get ready," Stephanie whispered barely audible as they laid there quietly for a few precious minutes, the only sounds her crying and the beat of his heart in her ear. His fingers were tangled in the mass of soft curls.
Her lips were salty when they touched his. For the very first time in over ten years, Ranger dreaded going and this, hopefully, should be a rather quick and painless assignment, but he never had a Stephanie Plum in his life before to leave and he didn't want to leave her. Ranger only wanted to get this over with because when he got back, she should be moved in or on her way here to stay permanently close by him always.
His muscled body slipped out from under the sheets, she watched until he disappeared behind the closed door and grabbed a black t-shirt out of a drawer and she slipped on her boxers. Turning out the bedroom light, she was going to start coffee. Ella left a breakfast casserole made with eggs and sausage in the refrigerator which she was heating up in the microwave and homemade muffins in banana, carrot, and corn so Stephanie could send her Cuban Man off with a filling breakfast.
The bedroom door opened and Ranger stepped out silently seeing the sleeping children. Stephanie stared at the green-grey T-shirt molded to the ridges on his chest, the camo pants even though designed to be slightly baggy, his powerful legs were defined in them, and shiny black lace up Army boots on his feet.
"You're like my very own G. I. Joe," Stephanie teased handing him a cup of steaming java. She poured two glasses of orange juice and set a warm plate down on the table in front of him.
His dark eyes had a playful glint in them, chuckling, "I'm anatomically correct. When I get back, you can play with me."
He watched as Stephanie gave him a classic eye roll, "Don't I know. And, I'll play with you. I'll have to strip your clothes off, then maybe dress you back up after I'm done with you."
"Babe, you can strip me down anytime."
Licking her pink lips as she leaned against the counter watching him, "With pleasure, Cuban Man."
"Babe, you're too much," setting his empty plate in the sink just as there was a light tap on the door.
Stephanie opened it. "Ranger ready?' Bobby asked.
"Yes."
Bobby was dressed in similar attire stepping inside the apartment with Lester and Tank carrying duffels or extra fire power.
"Is there someone who can stay with Paulo and Tiana while I go down with you?" She asked Tank ignoring the eyebrow a certain man was giving her.
He picked up the apartment phone and buzzed someone, "One of you come down to four for a few minutes," and replaced it in the cradle.
Mere seconds later, there was another tap and Lester opened the door. Ram from the control room walked in.
"Stay here for a few minutes so Stephanie's children are not alone while she walks the Boss down," Tank gave him instructions.
He nodded.
"There's fresh coffee and muffins," Stephanie said quietly and walked over to the door where Ranger was waiting. "I'll be right back."
"I'll be here," the Rangeman stirred milk into his coffee and added a spoonful of sugar. With Stephanie around, sugar had popped up around the office and all the guys took advantage of it knowing it could be gone in a blink of an eye if Ranger gave the word.
Before going out, Stephanie glanced at her sleeping children. Lester, Bobby, and Tank had the elevator waiting for them a few steps away from the apartment.
Once inside, Stephanie's face was buried in Ranger's shoulder and she was glued to his side.
"Babe, I'll be back as soon as we can."
She never looked at him, just buried her face deeper in his shoulder. "But," choking on her words, "I don't have a choice of you leaving me. I HATE IT!" Finally, raising her blue tear filled eyes, "You better be careful, Carlos."
"I will, Stephanie. I have you to come back, too."
The elevator stopped in the garage and all stepped off. Coming off a black Rangeman Explorer was waiting for them. The equipment and bags were loaded in the back.
"It's time all ready?"
Ranger nodded at her.
"Watch out for each other," Stephanie hugged Bobby.
Hugging her back, "We always do. It's all about where your mind's at and we're Army men with a job to do right now."
The company medic gave Tank and Lester one of those quick man pats on the back before opening a back door on the SUV.
"See you soon, Bobby," she called after him.
Ranger's arms just held her as tight as he could for a few seconds more inhaling the strawberry scent of her curls to last him for a few weeks.
"I better go, Babe. A plane will be waiting for us."
Her arms tightened more around his neck then loosened so she could take in his handsome Cuban face, his dark pools, the strong jaw, chiseled nose. Standing on tiptoes, her salty tasting lips met his in a searing kiss. Lips and bodies were molded into one for the last few ticks of time. The shades of gray were shades of love.
"I love you, Carlos."
"I love you, Babe."
Stephanie stood as her Cuban Man slipped into the passenger seat and Lester got behind the wheel. She closed his door and his palm was pressed against the glass where hers was before she stepped back and watched the black vehicle pull out of the garage.
A short time later on an airplane heading to rendezvous with the remaining members of his assigned team and final instructions with General Hanlon, Ranger was staring at the picture Stephanie's children colored for him. In his other hand, a photograph of him and Stephanie kissing in the ocean at Point Pleasant, a faint hint of saltiness still on his lips. He had Stephanie to come home to and hopefully soon. His blacks and whites melded into grays and those transformed into his shades of love for Stephanie Plum.