A/N

Hello everyone. To the 22 people I know are reading, thanks. This is an unusual story and does not follow the typical fanfic JE story pattern. I hope more are out there silently watching in the shadows and hopefully enjoying the story. Right now, the story is focused on showing, why do these people even care about each other? I mean, I could just tell you Ranger and then men think Steph is cute, smart and courageous and that Ranger is the best thing since sliced bread with Nutella on it. But I would wonder, why is he? and what fun did everyone have to make them this close? So I will try to show this and hopefully it will make you smile and not bore you. If it does (wahhh) but ok, it will be over in about 2 chapters, actually less, as in the next chapter we have more getting to know each other while working together. This means more action. But don't forget the unmentionable is still out there, so don't go, away dear readers. Please. Leave me a hey I am reading comment, even if you don't officially follow this story. Just to let me know, you are here in the shadows, if you don't mind. thanks

Chapter 11

I can see the sky outside is starting to turn grey telling me dawn is near. Soon the sun will chase away the dark shadows. I slept during the night and didn't have a nightmare?! I am surprised. What awoke me was a vague horror of my mind screaming but I am paralyzed and there is no escape. But that is it. No pain, no dark images, no burning eyes. I look over at Ranger's side of the bed and see his back facing me as he sleeps. He must be beyond exhausted. I am glad he is here. I smile. I rarely get this many hours of sleep in the daytime and usually I have a nightmare, unless it is a good day. I guess he is my lucky charm.

I look at his back in the dim light. Sooo tempting. I can't help it. I scoot over until I am just a few inches away from him. Slowly raising my hand up to his neck, I run my fingers through his silky hair and then push it aside exposing his shoulder and all his glorious back underneath. Then I place my finger at the top of his back right where it touches the neck and slowly start tracing down the lines of muscle. First across one shoulder, down over the shoulder blade then curving in an S across the back to the other shoulder. Now I am gliding criss cross up and onto the ribs and back down curving over the muscles along the spine returning back down to the middle of his back. So well defined. I suppress a giggle when he flinches at my light touch when I graze over the sides of his ribs. Ticklish? I wonder, as I continue to circle and move towards the opposite ribs to the side that lays on the mattress. He is like a sculpture. I close my eyes and feel his skin and the firm shapes beneath. My finger hitches over an extra rough patch. A scar at the lower back that is more raised, like a little bumpy rope, an inch long. I push up from my laying position and kiss it lightly, my breath making a little wet spot. This texture…hmm so interesting? I wonder what it would be like if I…? So I lick it with the tip of my tongue.

"Babe?!" Ranger instantly turns over and suddenly I am on my back looking up as he hovers over me. His hair is sticking out slightly disheveled. I smile because he reminds me of a boy awoken suddenly, by a fire alarm.

"Morning Ranger" I say and my fingers reach to stroke his chest

He relaxes and rolls to the side falling flat his back. He clutches me tightly to his side so I can't move as easily.

"That's Ok I was done with the back"

"Mmm" His eyes are closed

I am pleased to look at this side now. I raise my free left hand and slowly start to draw first across the right chest, then glide my finger across to the left where I am pressed against him. I circle down the sternum cross to his right abs and loop left around his belly button, then under it to just above where the sheet is on his hips. I plan to then circle up and press my finger in his belly button lightly as he has a sexy one. But before I can circle back up, Ranger snatches my hand in a firm grip, just as it skims the edges of his silk boxers, hanging low on his hips.

"Babe be good" he mumbles

"I am. I was almost finished with my drawing. I practically finished a masterpiece on my other perfect canvas when I was interrupted…" I say in a fake pouty voice.

He opens his eyelids half way and looks at me from the corner of his eyes when I say perfect canvas. His lips curl up slightly.

"I can improve this one if I am allowed to use more than one medium." I lick my lips and stare at him.

He opens his eyes fully and a small grin lights up his face. "You're playing with fire, Babe"

"Maybe a little". I hug him tight and press my lips to the side of his chest in a silent kiss as I breath out over his latte skin. It's the end of the world for me in a way. Or maybe I am tired and more susceptible to him. Maybe, it's the lack of sleep that strips away all the pointless pretenses and all that is left is what matters.

Suddenly he flips me onto my back and he is over and all around me. I am surrounded in an enticing Ranger cage. His eyes are dark and intense

"Don't burn me" I whisper just as he engulfs me in a fiery kiss. His hand pushes up my shirt and dances across my stomach before they are griping my ribs urgently as the kiss deepens sending chills down my spine. I feel a tightening deep in my core as fire envelops my chest and races to my head burning all thoughts, all reason, all fear from my mind. Only his lips, his smell, his taste thrums into my senses and fills my being. Then the kiss slows down becoming sweeter as he pulls back and looks into my eyes. I stare into his and see the dark shadows under his eyes and passion blurring out the fatigue. I wonder if under it all, that haunted look from last night is still somewhere. Did it also burn away? He runs his fingers through my hair and the passionate fire smolders into glowing embers. As he studies me, another more contemplative look comes into his eyes.

"Did you have a nightmare? Do you need me to help you forget?" I look at him as he waits patiently for my reply

"I didn't. I am sorry I woke you up." I look away feeling my cheeks burn. He only got a few hours of sleep before I burst in. I should let him get more before I cause him mischief. what am I doing? Ranger waits, watching me. Then rolls off me and gets up.

"Get some rest" he goes to the bathroom. I hear the water running for some time and other sounds. It sounds like the shower? When he comes back, he has on an old T-shirt along with his silk black boxers. It is loser fitting than his Range man T-shirts so it looks comfortable, but I wouldn't call it a night shirt. That's a first.

He gets back in bed and opens his arms to me and I snuggle back up to him and listen to his quickened heartrate. It gets slower and slower and after 20 minutes it is the speed that lulled me to sleep last night. His breath is coming slower and deeper now. I turn away and lay on my side with my back pressed against him, soaking in his warmth.

Way to go. Someone could say it is payback for all the times he got me worked up and walked away, but I can't agree with that statement. I can agree to have teasing fun, but not when you look at the current situation we are in. We're both exhausted and on edge with no clue how to find the monster we are hunting. I wouldn't want someone toying with me right now and I don't want to be that type of person either.

Ranger turns so he is now facing me and scoops me into him as little spoon and he is big spoon, inhaling deeply. He seems settled and ready to sleep some more. We both could use a few more hours. I suspect we have averaged 4 hours a night in the past 12 days, well maybe even longer for him. I have no clue what his schedule was like before he came and swept me away from my apartment.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. I don't know what I was thinking …I wasn't thinking"

"Shhh sleep Babe. When we're both in our right minds, I will show you how I play the game."

"So I'm one of the players?"

"You're the whole damn game."* I smile.

One reason I avoided Ranger in the past was I hated the thought I may not be the only woman. I also feared the heart break if he walked away. Another reason was his dark danger and too many unknowns. But here I am surrounded by the darkest danger ever, so what was there to fear by taking a risk on him?

We sleep for 3 hours more and then get up. Ella had breakfast ready on the kitchen bar. I could get use to this. It definitely beats even donuts. We take the food and sit at the small breakfast table eating in companionable silence.

"Your wheels are churning Babe."

"Uh, you're not still mad, from last night, right? To tell you the truth I don't even know what I did"

"Babe, you didn't do anything. I was angry you were distressed, but I didn't even know you were in a bad way"

"So it's what I didn't do. I didn't tell you …so you didn't know…what you could do to fix it?"

Ranger moves his head in one subtle nod "Or who to pound."

"It could just be me stressing over the same old, same old vampire out there I'm going to drink your blud" I say the last phrase with a silly Dracula accent or as close to one as I can.

Ranger gives me a small smile with a simple knowing look, "Right, if that is upsetting, tell me."

"What? You can't just make it go away like that." I snap my fingers like poof instantly gone.

"Babe. You knock on criminals' doors and ask them to get into your car for living. You reacted to news of the unmentionable better than anyone I know. Look proof: you're joking about it even now. If something is bothering you, I don't take it lightly. Neither should you." he looks at me steadily.

He sees and understands me in a way that I never considered. It is refreshing. I guess I am not so pathetic after all.

I laugh a self-conscious little laugh. I mean guys don't really want to know everything. We all know they'd die if we ever mentioned our periods. He just wants to know the dragons that threaten me so he can go slay them.

"Soo?"

"Full disclosure" he does his one little nod thing while looking at me with a serious look

"The same thing goes for you. You're not so good at talking to me. When was the last time I got a report from you? Hmmmmm" I raise my eyebrows at him and give him my best school teacher explain that young man look before I start to giggle. I can't help it. Me a strict schoolmarm? I could never pull that disciplinarian act off. I'd probably bring tasty cakes to the students as I sat and drank McDonalds cokes and ate French fries each Monday. While the kids did their work, sitting freestyle around the room. No desks in their neat rows for me, blech.

"Noted Babe"

"I get it. Even though you can't fix this, like that." I snap my fingers again "You still want to know" So he can be there and do something. I want to be there for him too. "But full disclosure goes both ways. You have to tell me what's going on in your wild mind"

Rangers mouth slides up in a little crooked half smile and his eyes sparkle wickedly. Ok so maybe not everything. But then again if slightly edited, for the first time I am curious and actually want to know.

"How'd you sleep last night?" Strangely he let my comment pass

I smile slowly at him "good, No nightmares just a disturbing dream around 5 am that I don't really recall. It was more feelings than images."

"Better?" he raises an eye brow and looks pleased in a triumphant way, but mostly his eyes look relieved.

"Yea, you did make it better." I say nodding and smiling. I admit it, because it's true.

But really, it's no surprise. Having someone you trust next to you, even if they can't make it go away, makes things somehow better. I wonder if Ranger has someone like that. Will he let me be that someone for him?

"If I can't fix it. I can definitely make it better." He face lights up in a 200 watt smile. I guess that's his way of saying I told you so. But it isn't like I was avoiding telling him things. We just weren't around each other. Which he is very much to blame for this problem too.

"You ready to tell me your dream?"

I Look down and keep eating, focusing on breakfast because we were just smiling and having a good time right now. He waits for a while watching me in the silence.

"It's a simple request so you must comply, since you swore your life to me." Ranger says giving me a serious face but his eyes are twinkling.

"What?!"

"Your eternal gratitude, as my reward for being your lucky charm," then he actually winks at me.

"whatever. I said, I'd shower you with my gratitude"

"Showering is always good" his voice is low and smooth and makes my stomach flip "It's the best place for this"

I quickly swallow the last of my juice to keep from spewing it "What?"

"I hear the shower is the best place to go, for a good cry" his eyes are twinkling back at me. Who told him that?

"So true. But it's not a good place to tell a story" I respond doing my best to keep a serious face and not smile.

"No?" he gives me a steady look his voice sounding like he is contemplating a serious question, but his eyes tell me otherwise. I look back at him and shake my head no and try to give him a not happening look. Though who knows if I pull it off, because thinking of him in a shower makes my hormones go wild.

"Then the second-best place. The couch" he says with a playful business tone and attitude.

"For showering?" I exaggerate the innocent voice adding in a silly blink. Because I know exactly what he is saying. Then in a more normal voice, "We better skip it until later."

I am sure he won't agree, but who knows, one can try. I will tell him. I want to. It's just I am all comfy and happy right now joking around.

"No babe. You swore eternal gratitude. Your life belongs to me. Don't worry I am a fair master." His voice is low and sultry but laced with humor and his lips curl in a teasing wolf grin

"It's not like I bonded myself to you as a life debt slave." I say giggling. It does sound kind of like a-pledge-my-life to someone type of dept from an old movie the way Ranger says it. Though being next to him for the rest of my life doesn't sound so scary, anymore…

We sit looking at each other his eyes are twinkling and his lips twitching. He is amused. I look back too and I can't help it. I start to laugh. It is all so ridiculous and I can't stop laughing and eventually he does too. It feels good to laugh full and long.

Once the laughter has died down he looks at me steadily with his dark chocolate eyes. He slowly gets up and takes the two steps to close the distance to me. I look up at him from my chair as he stands over me. He takes my chin in his fingers to keep my eyes on him, but I don't want to look away. His eyes are intense but warm me all the same.

His voice is low and deep, "Bonded life servant or not, it doesn't matter. You belong to me."

He gently strokes my jaw with his thumb causing my head to spin in surprise. His piercing eyes mixed with his deep gentle voice WHAM! Hits me in the chest. Whoa! Joe, nor my Ex Dickie, didnt say such things. Never in this way!

The feeling is so intense, my face turns hot to my ears. Ranger laughs quiet and low. In the past, I would get angry and think he is just messing with me. But now, I don't think he is! The feelings radiating from him and surging in me, what is this? It's so intense, it's insane. I think I might like it.

But I need to adjust. it's like taking my very first shot of whisky in one gulp. It shocks and burns, then warms and it's too much. Then whoa what a happy high. Except alcohol dulls the senses and makes you stupid drunk and is bad for your heath, technically, and this invigorates me and makes me feel I can conquer anything. So using whisky is a bad analogy. There is no analogy for this. Ok, take a deep breath. I can tell my mind is spinning.

"Perhaps you belong to me" I whisper. He is the one demanding to slay my dragons and battle my demons. It seems more like he's the bonded knight, ever fighting for the princess.

When I come out of my thoughts, Ranger is giving me some space and is casually clearing off the breakfast table and placing the dishes in the kitchen for Ella . He turns to me like we were just chatting about the news.

"Your memories. Don't you think it's about time you tell me your nightmare?"

"I Uhm, Well"

"Yes?"

"It's not that I don't want to, its just I was having a nice time and talking about it will just be a downer for everyone"

"knowing you trust me, is never a downer." He looks at me and extends his hand. He didn't just take charge and lead me to where he wants me to go, like he has so often before.

For the first time It hits me, he wants me to choose him. He wants me to trust him. But I do. Have I unwittingly sent the wrong message to him by avoiding things or trying to solve my problems too much on my own?

I take his hand and smile.

"Ok, because you're the only one who has my eternal gratitude." I say trying to lighten the mood but failing miserably, I am sure. Because that just came out sounding stupid. I mean, I want to say you're the only one I trust and I need you…maybe for always. But saying that right now feels so awkward like blurting out I love you. He gently squeezes my hand and his eyes are a soft chocolate brown.

He sits on the couch and I sit next to him with my back snuggled up to him. I can feel him and his warmth but not see his face. That way I can also see the window outside and the sunny blue sky. It is easier sometimes to tell a difficult story if I don't have to see someone staring at me. He wraps his arm my waist as I lean back against his chest. He waits

I don't have to tell them all. If I piece them all together It is all one continuous story that tells me what is going on.

It is best to just make it as factual as I can and straight to the point. It is best to just admit it is real and not a dream. I haven't dreamed about the first nightmares I told him about it over a week ago. So maybe it is helpful to talk about these things. Or maybe these more intense bites are just so much worse, they eclipse the other nightmares.

I tell him how always I can't move. How I try to scream and fight back but I am under some kind of a spell. That I must find a way to fight back but like always, there is no way. I tell him about how I know the bite is coming now and then the clenching of the muscles as he sucks out the blood. How eventually the waves reach my chest and my heart beats in unison to his command as my life empties into him. I stop then. Ranger is right I am crying. But a shower is not the best place to cry, unless I am alone and want to hide and wash away my tears and sooth my trembling with a warm water hug.

Coming out of my story I notice Ranger behind me silent and still. I turn back and see his face is fierce as lightening, his eyes black and shining, and the muscles in his jaw jump. I knew he'd be angry. I am pretty much done so I reach out to touch his face and stroke away the tight anger.

He immediately takes my outstretched hand and brings it to his chest. Then he grabs my legs with his other hand and swings them onto his lap. In moments he has me snuggled into his side in a tight embrace, my head against his chest. He strokes my hair and I hear the rumbling of his voice in his chest.

"Continue"

"That's pretty much it"

"But not all" I hesitate "Babe. Please" Why? But I can't deny his request.

So I tell him, each time the dark creature stops and does not completely consume me. That I know he bit me at least twice at these larger blood vessels but I think it could be more times, because now I hear him talking to me. That I am not sure how we communicate. If it is telepathy or through blood or if I only hear his thoughts. I am not sure if he can hear my thoughts too or if he wants me to hear his. But I learned that he feels it is an honor he is bestowing on me to one day become part of him. Escaping and running is my goal, but to him it is an infuriating offense.

"Arrogance will be its death." I look up and see Ranger's eyes black and shining.

He's right. I can't fight back physically. I can't even move, but the unmentionable has very peculiar attitudes. Maybe I could use them against him somehow. I have talked my way out of tight spots in the past when stalkers wanted to kill me.

"Are you Ok?" I look up as I stroke Rangers chest.

"Babe?" Ranger stops staring deeply into the void and looks at me. His eyebrows pinch together between his eyes for a second before his face returns to normal.

I scan him. I don't know if he is shocked or upset with what I've told him. As I am scanning him, he dips me and I am now laying on the couch looking up at him as he closes in.

He shakes his head slightly "You" he says in a soft whisper and kisses my mouth gently and insistently then my jaw then my ear and whispers. "Mmm , how are you?"

"..huh?" my mind is short circuiting. I am trying to grasp the question as I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him back senselessly, holding nothing back. I don't pullback until I am hearing bells and I need air.

Ranger grabs the phone. oh it wasn't bells. I am panting catching my breath. I see it is past 1000 hours and the teams are calling nonstop with updates. Ranger still needs to read the night team reports so I get up and head to the front door to go get ready in my apartment on 4.

"Wait."

"Yea" Ranger comes up behind me and pushes the front door closed. I turn around and lean my back against it. He looks down at me with his happy gentle eyes.

"You know you can't keep living on 4"

"I cant?"

"It's better here with me" he grins his mischievous grin

"Oh soo" I look up at him contemplating. Hmmmmm what to do. He puts his hands on either side of me caging me against the door. His lips curl up in a slight smile. His eyes say, do you want to go there because I'm ready to play.

Maybe I do.

"Well what are the enticements, moving is so laborious." I feign a sign and look to the side with a little half grin

"I'll be lenient this time and send someone to pack up your things. But if you continue to be a slothful servant, I will have to punish you…" and he swoops down and kisses up my neck, to my ear, and then bites it right at that sweet spot that drives me wild. Then he breathes hotly into it "eternal gratitude".

If this is punishment then sign me up for the reward. When I can no longer breath because he has me wound up so tight, Ranger pulles back a big teasing grin on his face. So cocky. He knows he won this game. If I could roll my eyes, blush and laugh at the same time I would. I really can't compete. I got nothing. Not even one little sassy come back.

I take a few calming breaths as Ranger watches me, amused at his handy work, I am sure.

Once I am somewhat more controlled, I look him in the eye and try to say as nonchalantly as I can "So someone is really going to help me pack and haul my things up here?"

"Not help, do it all" I don't know. I kind of want to pack my own underwear and the toiletries too. Because I hate looking for my makeup, but the rest wahoo, have at it.

I shake my head at him " Servant, forever gratitude? Whatever."

"Oath of Eternal gratitude, Babe"

"Which I never said, nor made an oath"

"Could've fooled me." Who knew he was such a tease. Actually, all those times in the alley kind of gave me a hint

He smiles at me as I stare into his gentle chocolate eyes. His crazy teasing made me forget all this mess for a moment. He really is so beautiful and I feel better, much better after talking.

Because in reality, I am better with him, than alone.

Foot Notes

* This phrase idea isn't mine. Credit goes to the Story "What a Mess" ByDrapetomaniac12 on WebNovel each chapter has a romantic saying before each chapter. Chapter 2 is: "I'm still a player. It's just that you're the whole damn game"

Check out her Novel. What I've read is rather amusing. The female leads parents arranged her marriage without telling her but she won't agree to be a strangers fiancé. For some reason he agrees to the match even though she is not a demure traditional bride. I guess he'll just have to try and convince her to become his fiancé. He is actually rather upbeat and amusing CEO compared to how most male leads are cold domineering and emotionless powerhouses in most internet novels. Check it out you may like it. It can be fun to read novels set in other cultures and countries. I started it but left it aside because I was distracted by other things but I can say it is nice up to chapter 22.