Sorry this is late in posting. Thank you all for the reviews and messages! None of these are mine (well, not the ones you know!) Enjoy Tart Thursday

My New Life
Gone…
SapphireJ

I never went back to sleep; I couldn't, but not for lack of trying. I lay back down in our bed on Lester's side. I curled around his pillow and breathed his scent in. I started crying. I knew he had to go; I knew he was needed and that he would be fine. But damn it, I wanted him here; with me where he belongs.

I felt the little one kick and I had to laugh a little. "Yeah, you want him home too, huh little one?"

I decided that I'd cried enough and that sleep wasn't coming soon, so I got up, showered, and dressed for work. It was early, but I had to go in to keep my mind off things.

I pulled into my parking spot and took the elevator up to my office. I knew there would be searches for me to do; at least from Rodriguez. I was so close to finding out whom the hell he was; missed him by two minutes last week.

I stepped off the elevator and walked to my office. It was very quiet, guess the night shift is still here. I looked at the clock and realized it was only 0530. Yep, that explains why it is quiet.

I'd been running searches non-stop; highlighting the important information I found and placing reports in piles of importance. I hadn't realized what time it was until I heard Junior and Binkie.

"Steph? Are you listening?"

I looked up and saw Junior waving his hand in front of me. "I'm sorry, Junior. What were you saying?"

"I was asking where Santos was. I noticed he wasn't in his cube."

"Oh, um, he left this morning."

"Where did he go?" Junior and Binkie sat down in my chairs.

"I don't know." My hand dropped to my belly; baby was kicking up a storm.

"Well, when is he going to be back?"

I looked at him like he had two heads. "I don't know."

"Man, are you two fighting? He left, didn't tell you where or when he'd be back. I wanted to talk to him this morning, not wait until later. I'll just go pull up his GPS."

Ranger walked in my office at that time and looked at Junior. "Problem Junior?"

"Uh no boss, just wanted to talk to Santos for a few."

"Well, that is going to have to wait a while. He's gone."

"Yeah, that's what Steph said. Any idea when he'll be back?"

Just then Bobby and Ram entered my office. What the fuck? Is this everyone congregate in Stephanie's office day?

Ram came around and squeezed my shoulder. "I just heard, Steph. If you need anything, let me know. Okay?"

"Yeah. Thanks Ram."

Junior looked at Ranger and then at me. "What the hell is going on?"

Ranger answered for me…I was afraid if I said it, I'd start crying again. I hate feeling weak, but these hormones are doing a number on me.

"Lester and Vince left on a mission at 0345."

Junior and Binkie let out a collective "Fuck."

They looked at me and I could see the sorrow in their eyes. "It's okay guys. You didn't know."

Binkie decided it was a good time to talk. I just didn't want to hear what he said. "Wow, must be big if they sent Lester AND Vince in."

"What do you mean?" I felt the little one kicking harder and using my bladder as a trampoline.

"Well, you know that Vince and Lester are great snipers. They both are the best there is…when alone. But, you pair them up together and there is no stopping them. The government only puts them together when there's a huge demand for it."

"I can't remember the last time they were sent out on the same mission, so this has got to be big."

I saw Ram smack Binkie upside the head. "Shit man, are you trying to scare her more?"

"Fuck. I'm sorry Steph. I didn't mean it." Binkie's eyes were filled with guilt. "I just meant that if they sent them both in, that…well…there is nothing to worry about. They are the best of the best and together they will be awesome. He will be home soon."

I took a deep breath and tried to stop the tears from falling. Ranger, Ram and Bobby noticed and ushered Binkie and Junior out of my office. Ranger shut my door and turned back around.

"Don't worry, Steph. Vince and Les have done missions together before. They work well together and they'll be home before you know it." Ranger sat down on the edge of my desk and handed me a kleenex.

"Thanks."

Ram turned my chair around to face him. "Steph, what can we do to help you?"

"I have a doctor appointment tomorrow. Les was so excited; we were thinking about finding out the sex."

"I'll go with you if you want, Steph."

I nodded my head. "Thanks Ram."

Ranger spoke up at that point. "Steph, would it be okay if Bobby went with you, too? I've been meaning to talk to you and Lester about that. I'd feel more comfortable if he were able to go with you and talk to your doctor about what to do if something happens while at work."

"Okay. That would be good. Just in case I go into labor here or something else happens before it is time."

"What time is your appointment tomorrow Steph?"

"9am, Bobby."

"Ok, Ram and I will pick you up at 0815."

Just then my phone rang.

"RangeMan ,this is Stephanie."

"Hey Baby."

"Les! Oh my god, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Beautiful. I just wanted to call you and tell you I love you before I get on the plane."

"I love you, too Sexy."

"Are you okay? You sound like you've been crying."

"Just a little, but I'm fine. Just missing you. Ram, Bobby, and Ranger are in here talking with me."

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm going in deep. I don't think I'll be able to contact you while I'm gone. Vince and I have check-ins set for every other Friday at 0600 starting next Friday. I'll try to find a way to make sure you get the news that we checked in."

"That would be wonderful, but if not, I'll manage." I won't totally, but I can't tell him that.

"Baby, I don't know how long this is going to take. I hope to be back before the little one is born, but I can't promise it."

"I know. Just remember that we both love you and we'll be here when you get home." I had tears streaming down my face, but I didn't care right now.

"Steph, I love you with all my heart. I'm so glad you came into my life; you've given me so much to live for. I will make it home soon." I heard him take a deep calming breath. "I love you, Stephanie Michelle Santos. Forever and Always."

I couldn't talk more than a whisper, so I hope he heard me. "I love you with all my heart and soul, Lester. Come home to me soon. Stay safe."

"Stay sane, baby. I gotta go. I love you."

I heard him hang up…I wanted to tell him I loved him one more time. I wanted to tell him that face to face; body to body. That would just have to wait.

I hung up the phone forgetting that there were others in my office. Ram squeezed my shoulders and made me jump.

"Sorry, I forgot you guys were here. That was Lester." Like they could have figured that out on their own.

"Want to share or not?"

"Yeah. He said that he's going in deep. He and Vince have check-ins set for every two weeks starting next Friday at 0600. He doesn't know when they'll be back. I just wish he'd be able to contact me from time to time."

"I'll let you know when I hear about his check-ins, Steph."

"What do you mean, Ranger?"

"When my employees are called in on a mission, I get notified of their check-ins. If I'm on a mission myself, then that call goes to Tank. If their check-ins are set for 0600, then I should hear something by 0700 at the latest. I won't be able to tell you anything other than they've heard from him."

I actually felt a little better about that. At least I'd know he was still alive and trying to get home. "Thank you, Ranger. I'd appreciate that."

"Alright, Steph. Ram and I need to head out. It's a Lula day and I know she has at least three skips." I stood up and hugged Bobby and Ram.

"Thanks you guys. I'll catch you later."

"Call us if you need anything."

Bobby and Ram walked out to start their day. My day felt like it was half over, but it wasn't even lunch time. I was exhausted and finally felt like I could sleep, but I have a ton of work to do. I guess Ranger saw my exhaustion.

"Steph, why don't you go down to the apartment on four and get some sleep. I imagine you didn't make it back to sleep after he left this morning."

"No, I didn't. I think I will head down, I'm feeling exhausted."

"If you need anything call the control room. There should be clean sheets and blankets on the bed and towels in the bathroom. Ella's been keeping it cleaned in case you needed it during the day. When you get hungry, call Ella and she'll bring you food."

"Thank you, Ranger. I'll come back up in a little and get my work done."

"Don't worry about it. Looks like you got a lot done already today."

"It helps to keep busy."

He nodded and walked out of my office. I grabbed my phone and shut down my computer. Heading for the elevator, I felt my body ready to crash. I made it to Lester's old apartment and barely made it to the bed before I passed out. I hope when I wake, I find it was all a dream.

tbc