Chance Encounters

Chapter 41

BLT Reflections

oOoOo

Bobby's POV

Rushing in to the emergency waiting area, I made my way quickly to the nurse at the reception desk, having brought the paperwork with me for Manuel, and the Medical Power of Attorney for Ranger necessary for them to proceed with his treatment. Knowing it was a gunshot wound he would be seen to promptly, but at least we could get some information for our brother and confirm that Rangeman had full health benefits for him.

Okay. I was agitated. Truth be told, I was really pissed and embarrassed at being delayed, and just I knew Tank or Ranger were going to ream me a new one. As I made my way to the nurse, she called for a Mrs Ramos. What the fuck? Manny is not even married. To my amazement Stephanie stepped forward with Ranger. What's with that? When I explained about the delays, traffic and detours I had to make to get there, the nurse tersely cut me off and Ranger crushed my foot with his. Oh shit. I closed my mouth before I put my foot in it.

Blow me down, Stephanie was in tears and asked me to deal with Manny's paperwork. I got it. The 'distressed wife' routine. Ranger's pointed look confirmed it. She was being Mrs Ramos. Thankfully the marital status and next of kin details were skipped over in lieu of getting to the more critical details. It was only on the way back to Haywood that Woody and Zero explained the unusual scenario. Zero was so impressed with Steph's quick thinking and how she was able to find out specific information and see Manny. Cunning little Vixen. And to think that I nearly blew her cover.

Manny was released into Hector's care, conditional with my medical supervision with some really strong pain meds. Ranger and Stephanie had stayed at the hospital with Hector. Rather than take him home, to the Den, he was placed in a room on the fourth floor at my recommendation. I collected Manny for his OT appointment and was given a recovery chart for regaining mobility and strength in his left arm. Fortunately, Manny was right-handed which made recovery a hell of a lot easier. But of course, it was essential that he maintained a regular program of recovery to avoid permanent or functional loss of mobility. He wasn't ready for any physiotherapy just yet. Let the wound heal and get the OT going was the recommendation. The exercises were manageable and he was diligent in working through the intense pain. Hector and Zero worked with him in the gym and encouraged him making sure he didn't overdo it, which is so easy to do. That has always been the biggest issue with these guys, they want to get back in shape sooner than later. Controlling that frustration and impatience was something I had to monitor very closely to ensure a full recovery. Getting full elevation of his arm was going to take a lot longer and that would be the key indicator of his progress and improvement.

I noticed that the connection with Hector and Manny was close, very close, beyond a brotherly connection, and at the same time, bonded by their joint passion for electronics, security gadgetry and computer IT stuff. Soul brothers, and then something more. I wonder …?

I perceived that same connection with the Boss and Stephanie. The Vixen has made an impact on Ranger, and all of us for that matter. We were all so pleased they finally had their first date only for it to be interrupted with Manny's shooting. We laughed at the notion of their 'rainchecks'. Such a tease and he paid it back with another raincheck. He has such strong willpower. I couldn't help but smile, thinking about her and the Ranger we know. She took no prisoners. They certainly made the air crackle and sizzle when they were in close proximity. And Stephanie was unlike any other woman Ranger had encountered. She was strong, feisty, assertive, sassy and sexy as hell. Yes, a real little spitfire. I don't think they have gotten freaky yet but I reckon it's going to be beyond sizzling. I visualised lightning and explosions. Yeah, and a few flash grenades and all that shit. But, I reckon it won't be long for that to happen regardless that they have only been on one date, almost.

What she did for Manny, and for Rangeman, was quite remarkable. Even though the nurses were busy between ogling us and doing their job, people rarely treat us with such support and respect as Stephanie displayed. Zero was in awe of her "evasive action" as she called it. I smiled, thinking of it like a military tactical manouevre. She got answers and saw how he was first hand. Amazing woman.

Manny's recovery went smoothly. He was fortunate that the bullet hit the humerus bone mid shaft, leaving the joints clear. Usually surgery isn't necessary with a broken humerus, and can be treated with a sling or a brace, since casting is not usually possible. But the shattered bone fragments necessitated surgery. Being strong, healthy and fit was in his favour. But an injury to the humerus is very painful and he had to take his pain medications to manage it. Hector took command there and remonstrated him for acting tough. I chuckled at that vision: Hector the mother hen. Stephanie too when she visited, took an inspection of his progress very seriously. The three of them had a unique bond. Ranger could be jealous of that special chemistry. But it was obvious to everyone here at Rangeman that Ranger and the Vixen had an entirely unique chemistry of their very own. The heated looks and his eyes tracking her every move when she arrived on the fifth floor, and in the conference room while we went over the medium skips. Yes, it was something else. But I digress.

While the bone itself heals in one to two months, it still takes a minimum of twelve weeks to fully heal. Initial recovery is ongoing, usually for four to six months. Manny was keen to work through his recovery, overcoming that stiffness that frequently presents itself and the frustration. It would still take from six to twelve months for full improvement. Manny's determination and solid work ethic was impressive. Weight bearing was limited of course, but he still maintained active gym time working on strength training and other muscles in his body. His duties as a result were modified and despite missing field work, he excelled in our other features of security.

After the first two months, Manny moved out of the fourth floor apartment to live at the Den. Silly me. Facepalm. I assumed he was in one of the guest rooms in Stephanie's villa. I know differently now. I smiled at that warm thought.

Lester's POV

Watching Bobby deep in thought made me curious at that whimsical smile on his face. On my way to the break room, I nudged him back to the present and he grinned sheepishly.

"New chick?"

"No."

"Need help with a new chick? Got a few honeys you'd like."

"No."

I raised my eyebrows at that, while I took a bite from my sandwich and pondered for a moment, Bobby too.

Bobby never had much trouble getting chicks with that brilliant smile and those smouldering eyes. Even Hector had been entranced by that winning look. We each have our own idiosyncrasies and special traits and techniques with the ladies. Funnily enough, Hector knew them all. He jokingly listed them off to us when we were at a nightclub, drinking beers at the bar, with our elbows leaning back. He was spotting the tells of the guys and predicting their next moves. He had Bobby and I nailed to a tee. He's a sly fox. He observes. That makes him such a good hunter. He reads people so well.

Now, Hector … that's an interesting one. I have noticed a distinct change in his persona, especially when Stephanie is around. He knew her before us. Lucky bastard. He was her guardian angel, and Cal too. But Hector seems, how do I put it? More together. Happy. Nah. Content. Yes, there's an aura of contentment around him. He's taken over from Bobby with helping Manny with his PT and his recovery. Mellow! That's it, he's more mellow. He can still scare the shit out of any one of us, but lately, he's different, in a nice kind of way.

I looked at Bobby as he was analysing my face. He can read me so well. He has been working on his profiling skills.

"Do you need help with a new chick?" he laughed.

"No," I grinned, rolling my eyes.

What then …? Hmm …

"Jelly of Ranger?" I teased.

"Hell yeah. Of course. Who wouldn't be jealous? But, you know, it's so good to see the two of them actually moving forward. They are good for each other, really good. She has made such a difference to him … Hell! To every one of us. The Vixen Effect, the impact of her aura on us has been a really good thing."

I thought of my cousin, Ranger and Stephanie together. It was truly something special. The attraction was instant and the chemistry was there from the first moment, sizzling to say the least. Could it be true? Love at first sight? Hm … love at first kiss. Like goldfish in a fishbowl, we watched them wishing them well, also secretly envious but, for me, deliriously happy for them. Carlos has met his match with Stephanie, the Vixen. The teasing and the counter play were fun to see. She initiated moves and he matched them. It was like a tennis match but so much better. We watched him, for his reaction. Then we watched her for her counter reaction. And, nothing was predictable other than they were made for each other.

"And, you know what?"

"What?"

Bobby being philosophical is so deep, I mused.

"We deserve this, this 'good thing'. I can feel a new vibe here since she burst into our lives."

"Fuck yeah. I know exactly what you're saying. And she did literally burst into our lives. Remember that first encounter? I'll never forget it. I fell in love with her right there. But damnit, she kissed the Boss! But when she threw me down and had that knife at my throat, crouching so closely over me … Oh! Man! Madre Dios! That was so hot! And watching her take out Morelli was awesome. And, again at the TPD station. Damn! That was just so classic and her reflexes were right on the money."

I sighed and chuckled as Bobby was reminiscing too.

"Yeah, and that body … and her tattoos."

"Oh yesss. I have been dreaming …"

WHACK!

"Damnit Tank! Make some noise will ya? I don't know how you can do that."

"Respect, Santos."

"Oh. Totally, Tank. Totes. I was just … okay, okay," I said leaping beyond his ample reach to escape from another upside, with my hands up in surrender.

"She's the best thing that's happened to Ranger. I was just saying, and, she's the best thing that has happened to us here too, at Rangeman. We were just reflecting on that first chance encounter. Remember that?"

Tank's POV

Damn right I remember that. I couldn't stop grinning. One of my favourite days. We didn't know her from a bar of soap and there she was pacing and muttering with a feisty potty mouth. Taking on the Boss so decisively, commanding him to kiss her was fucking awesome. And how she nailed Morelli in the balls was fucking awesome. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. And, again at the TPD. Her reflexes were so sharp and acute, she nailed Morelli before any of us could react to intervene.

"I see you. You got that shit-eating grin going again," Lester chuckled.

"Yeah. That day, that scene and all the events involving Stephanie, is so indelibly imprinted on my brain. I don't need video footage to remind me. Although Hector seeking out and locating the footage was brilliant."

Lester was spot on. The Vixen has made a remarkable impact, not just on Ranger, but everyone here at Rangeman, Ella and Luis included.

As I walked into my office with my sandwich and a fruit bowl, I chose to sit at the table I have set aside from my desk. I prefer not to eat at my desk and the break room was getting busy with the shift handover due in half an hour. Taking a bite of my turkey on rye, I considered what I had overheard with Bobby and Lester. I had a few more pieces of the puzzle, the enigma that is my brother in arms, Ranger. Like our hermano, Hector, I like people watching. Ranger too. We are all pretty skilled at that, it's par for the course in our warcraft and lends itself ideally in our security work and bond enforcement roles.

Stephanie, the Vixen, has that capacity as well. She is a force to be reckoned with. Watching her and Ranger interact from a distance, from close up, it's like they are distant souls destined to come together. They are already so in tune with each other, always sensing the presence of the other before actually setting sight on them.

I had fun keeping score, teasing Connie to a degree, with their fiery interaction at the Bonds Office. Taking the lead many times, Stephanie, the Vixen, went in for the kill. And he loved it. I often mentally keep score and I chuckled thinking of keeping a daily log. But no. I have too much respect for both of them. She won me from day one. Ranger was the winner by a long shot. Who would have thought that a feisty, sassy and very sexy woman like Stephanie would slay and capture the heart of the mighty Mañoso? And so instantly and decisively. And we were witness to it.

Now three months along and Stephanie has joined us at Rangeman, initially only for the medium skips' selection and division process. That wasn't enough. It wasn't long after that day Vinnie pissed her off, that she took up the invite to work with us, still as an independent agent, but no longer having to deal with her sleazy cousin Vinnie, or work from home. I still can't believe they were related. She was happy with the offer to join us at Rangeman and made the transition smoothly. The vibe at Rangeman since her arrival has been extraordinary. And Ella enjoys her girl time with Stephanie, which I felt they both needed in a building full of men.

Using the cubicle beside Cal, like she did when Ranger made the offer to use our facilities, has become her permanent space. The Vixen's Cubby. As per protocol, she met the requirements, in using the gun range, the gym with self-defence training, while maintaining fitness and strong physical health. Stephanie became an active member of the Rangeman team. Surveillance was always interesting with Stephanie. But with her panache and that capacity to bring people together, like having events or barbecues at the Den, inadvertently, she has made us a family.

After the shooting incident, I could see the bond between Stephanie and Hector and Manny. It was special. Ranger recognised that and respected it. Hector and Manny. Yeah. I nodded my head as I drank from the water bottle before starting on my fruit bowl. She knew. She nurtured and protected their relationship. She knew how to handle Hector when he was frantic with fear for his beloved Manuel. That capacity to love unconditionally and support those whom she loved was very profound and moving to see.

In watching her and Ranger, I know that things have suddenly hit fast forward, especially since their first date. They were made for each other and damn, I am so happy they found each other. Their relationship is already intense and passionate, even without actual physical contact. There is a certain electricity that is quite powerful between them. When they do make contact, a touch, a kiss and more, the intensity is palpable. How far have they gone? I smiled to myself.

Looking at the large strawberry on my fork, I smiled at how she could tantalise Ranger … Hell, all of us, so unknowingly. She made us smile. She made Ranger smile and he deserved some happy. He has always put his team, his staff, his work, first. Yes, he is a dedicated, diligent and fair CEO of a successful security company, but he never took time for himself. Selfless. Generous. Loyal. And in return he got that loyalty and commitment back in spades.

The Vixen and the Ranger. There are things happening that the others don't know. For one, Ranger doesn't spend as much time on seven, in his apartment. Ooh. But I disclose too much.

Grinning, I eyed the last two blueberries as I speared them successfully …

Yeah.

I see.

I know.

I have witnessed.

oOoOo

TBC

Just a bit of tasty BLT reflection. Can you visualise the grin on Tank's face. He's not smug. He knows something that I know and you want to know. He's a good secret keeper, so he is not going to tell.