Chapter 37

SPOV

I really wanted some time alone with my husband. My Merry Men needed to see me before they would return to Rangeman. The first people to enter the room was our team from the mission. Dad, Bernie and Andy followed them into the room. "You need to leave Luke. We need to debrief first," I reminded him.

Lucas gave me a small kiss before reluctantly leaving the room. After securing the room, Uncle Bernie started asking questions.

He was already debriefed on everything prior to Binkie and me leaving our post in DC. I told him everything I discovered and the emergent timeline to complete the mission. Bernie made a few notes before asking follow up questions.

Mallory, Binkie and Manny's accounts were nearly identical to mine. They had a few more details regarding the time I was asleep. I realized they woke me earlier than planned because I was becoming panicked as I slept. "She kept mumbling about saving the team. If we didn't get there soon, they would all be killed. Goosebumps were clearly visible on her face. I could tell she was sensing danger, not dreaming," Binkie added.

"Where were you when this happened?" Andy asked.

"Laying beside her, but I wasn't sleeping," he replied.

"Why did you lay beside her?" Andy tried a different tactic. I knew he was wondering if we did more than share space. It was starting to piss me off.

"She was mumbling and I wanted to hear what she was saying. I felt it was important," he answered.

Uncle Andy was about to ask another question when I rudely cut him off. "Andy, nothing intimate or sexual happened between me and Binkie. He's been like a brother to me throughout this entire mission. Cut the crap and let's get back on track," I snapped. He was slightly taken aback, but it stopped his line of questioning.

Binkie continued his account of what happened after he woke me. When he got to the part where I drew a change of direction on his hand, dad asked, "Why did you need to change direction?"

I answered, "I had a feeling we would walk directly into the line of fire. It was as though someone was waiting for us to approach from that specific direction." Another memory popped into my head. "A few hours after we left our hidden plane, I felt someone watching us. We took off running. They followed us for a mile before stopping."

"What do you think was their purpose?" Bernie asked.

"To see if we were heading in the direction of his camp," I stated. My spidey sense indicated I was on the correct line of thought. "When we continued in the direction, the sense of doom overwhelmed me."

"You approached the camp from which direction?" Dad asked.

"Southwest. Ranger's team was located on the Southeast," I replied.

"How did you approach Manoso's team?" Andy asked.

"We walked around the north side of camp to avoid detection."

Ranger told them about our quick debrief prior to entering the camp. Uncle Bernie was impressed I thought to disassemble the laptop and destroy the hard drive. I realized how wrong that thought was. "I'm impressed you created several photos with various cosmetic changes," he stated.

"I knew he had some enhancements. It was the only way I could think to find photographic evidence," I said with a shrug.

"She was brilliant. After she created the modified photos, we were able to find his latest image on the airport security feed. It's how we found him in Afghanistan," Binkie praised. "Her last enhanced photo received a 96% match."

"Wow," I heard from some of my Merry Men.

After every man gave their account of events, Uncle Bernie asked, "Where's the DNA samples you collected?"

Ram came forward with various flaps of skin in multiple evidence bags. I hadn't realized he grabbed samples from the men we neutralized.

"Why grab so many samples?" I wondered. "We only needed Bernstein's to confirm." Before Bobby could answer, I stated, "Because the other men also had cosmetic surgery and we needed their DNA too."

"I'm so proud of you Steph," Dad said as he pulled me into a hug. Reaching behind him, he grabbed Mallory's hand and pulled her closer. "Proud of you too Mal." She wrapped her arms around both of us.

"Dad," I whispered, "All the files are backed up on my private server."

"Very good," he whispered. "I'll retrieve the files."

"Thanks," I said before kissing his cheek.

We promised to have dinner with him when I get discharged. He gave a final wave and followed my uncles from the room.

Mallory climbed into the bed beside me. "Your fever's going away," she stated. I rolled over to face her. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"Me too. You and Manny?" I asked. During our mission, I noticed how close they were becoming. Manny's had a difficult time finding a decent woman. He found Valerie attractive, but she was already pregnant with Lisa when they met. Even if she wasn't pregnant or engaged to Albert, I doubt their relationship would have lasted.

"He wanted a woman with your personality that wasn't you," she joked.

"Be serious Mal. Manny's a good man. Did you know he used to be my hubby?" I asked her.

She laughed, "I remember the story he told me. By the way, I don't have a problem with him calling you wifey."

"Good, because he'll always be my hubby." Speak of the devil… "Were your ears burning?" I asked him. He laughed before shaking his head. I felt Mallory nod when he raised an eyebrow. "It's okay Manny, I approve," I whispered.

My previously quiet hospital room became very noisy. Lucas approached the bed with a raised eyebrow. "Sorry brother, I need more time cuddling with my sister," Mallory stated. He smiled before sitting at the foot of the bed.

"Did someone grab my satchel?" I asked. Ranger carried the bag to me and placed it on top of Mallory's stomach. Speaking Spanish, I said, "Hector, this is for you."

He opened the bag and started laughing. "You speak Spanish?" Junior asked.

"French and Italian too," Ranger answered.

In Latin, I said, "You forgot the original language boss."

"I stand corrected. Latin too."

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LPOV

Stephanie looked too comfortable laying beside her sister. Both women gave me a smirk, indicating they were teasing me. After each man gave my wife a hug and kiss, she decided to take a huge leap of faith.

"Guys," she started. "It's time you learned everything about me. Some of you already know my secret, but most of you don't."

"You were on a mission with Binkie and not taking a personal leave?" Cal asked.

She laughed, "Did you figure that out on your own?"

"It came up during one of our meetings," he confessed.

"There's more. During my time in the Army, I was known as Mitch," she confessed.

"Mitch, as in Michelle Plumbe? The talented computer guru?" Vince asked.

"Yes and I'm also known as Eclipse," my wife confessed.

"Holy crap!" several men shouted.

"Men!" Ranger barked. "Everything Stephanie told you remains confidential," he ordered.

"Yes sir," they answered.

We sat around talking about everything they learned about Eclipse over the years. Most of the men thought Eclipse was a man. They were pleasantly surprised it was our very own Stephanie.

"What's your clearance?" Woody asked.

"Higher than everyone in this room, because of my special skills," she answered honestly.

"Rank?" Hector asked.

"Sergeant Major," Lester answered for her.

When Stephanie yawned, they excused themselves to give us some privacy. Mallory gave Steph a kiss on her cheek before leaving with Manny. I could see those two getting married.

"Hey," I said while climbing into bed with my wife.

"Hey lover," she replied. "I really missed you."

"I missed you too." I kissed her. She nuzzled into my neck when I broke the kiss. "Your hair is really short," I said as I ran my fingers through her hair.

"It is, but I kind of like it. Maybe I'll keep it short. I'm glad they all know," she said on a yawn.

Before I could comment, she fell asleep in my arms. I have to admit I didn't sleep too well during the last month. My eyelids felt heavy as I concentrated on Stephanie's even breaths. There was a reclining chair I should be using, but I really wanted to stay in bed with my wife. Closing my eyes, I drifted into the most peaceful sleep I've had in weeks.

"Are you really okay, hermana?" I heard Hector ask Stephanie.

"Yes, hermano. I'm really okay. Did you piece the laptop back together?" she asked him.

"Si, what happened to the hard drive?"

She chuckled before replying, "A necessary casualty. Did you find a replacement drive?"

"I did. It's in perfect working condition now. Why did you take it apart?" he asked.

"To remove the hard drive. I had to destroy it in case it fell into the wrong hands. It was necessary to protect the mission," she replied.

"Why did you take it with you?" I asked, dropping my facade of feigning sleep.

"Didn't have enough time to print the photos I needed," she confessed.

"You didn't find everything in time?" I risked asking.

"I found most of the intel, but I was waiting for the program to finish running," she stated. "Everything was time sensitive. Sorry if I made too much work for you Hector."

"No problem hermana," he replied as Stephanie's stomach rumbled. "I'll get you food."

Just as he started walking through the door, Ranger rushed past him with a cooler bag in his hand. "Ella made you breakfast. There's enough for you too Rodriguez," he said as he handed Stephanie the bag.

"Thanks Ranger. When do I get out of here?" she asked.

Bobby entered the room, "In a few hours. You're looking more hydrated."

"I feel more hydrated. My fever broke during the night," she told him as he was taking her temperature. He had the thermometer in her armpit. It wasn't as accurate, but she can't stay quiet long enough for a proper reading.

Grabbing the bagel from the bag, Stephanie ate while she was waiting for the thermometer to register her temp. I grabbed the bagel with egg and turkey bacon. There was a cinnamon roll in the bag, but I was leaving that for Stephanie. She loves Ella's desserts.

He grabbed Stephanie's chart to check when the last dose of acetaminophen was administered. "Last dose was before you went to sleep," he recited before reaching for the thermometer. "It's 36.8 which is perfect."

Before he could record it on her chart, the nurse entered the room. She read the temperature on the thermometer and asked, "Armpit?"

"Yes," Bobby replied.

"How are you feeling today?" Janet asked.

"Not as bad as last night," she replied. "How's Mitch?"

"He just started walking. So he's getting into everything," Janet answered. "A skinnier version of your sister Valerie was sleeping in that chair last night."

"Oh, so you met Val's twin Mallory?" Steph asked her.

"She was sleeping. Valerie has a twin?" Janet and Valerie were close friends throughout school. When Valerie started dating Steve, Janet stopped hanging around. Steve was a bit of a player and was known to cheat on his girlfriend. Valerie refused to listen to her and eventually told Janet to leave her alone.

Janet's husband is currently deployed. Manny and Ram were his closest friends. They always kept Janet updated so she wouldn't be too worried. "Next time Mal is around, I'll have to introduce you to her," Steph added.

"Introduce me to whom?" Mallory asked as she entered the room.

"Speak of the devil," Steph joked. "Janet, this is my sister Mallory. She's Valerie's identical twin, but her personality is exactly like mine."

"Hi Mallory," Janet shyly greeted her. "Hanging out with Steph is always a good time."

"Please call me Mal," Mallory quickly told her.

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SPOV

"Luke, do you and the guys mind giving me some time with the girls?" I asked.

"Not at all. We'll go grab some coffee." He gave me a kiss before leaving me alone with Janet and Mallory.

"Has she tried to visit me?" I asked Janet.

"She did, but your guards ran her off before she could enter the room," Janet replied.

"Who tried to visit?" Mallory asked.

"Mom," I simply answered.

"Oh… her." Mallory went to the door and told the men to allow Helen entry if she returned this morning.

As she started shutting the door behind her I heard, "I want to see my daughter. You can't keep me away from her."

Mallory quickly slipped into the bed beside me while Janet went to the door and allowed her to enter. "Hi Helen, come in. Stephanie's expecting you." All of us were watching mom's face the second her eyes landed on Mallory.

She fell into the chair and put her hand to her throat. "Mallory," she whispered.

"Yes Helen, I'm Mallory."

"Is Emily here too?" she asked.

"No. Emily passed away several years ago," I told her.

"How… how did you find her?"

"Does it really matter?" Mallory asked.

"Of course it does," Helen answered. "We should go shopping and get to know each other better."

"Your little secret is out in the open Helen. I don't want to know you. As far as I'm concerned, you're as dead to me as your sister Ellen. Stephanie, Valerie and the girls are the only female family members I care enough to know. Goodbye Helen. Please leave me and my sister alone," Mallory stated as she grabbed mom's arm.

Helen started to resist until she caught Lucas, Tank and Ranger standing in the room. "Remember mom, you can't choose what happens in life, but you can always choose how to react. Your reaction when dad presented irrefutable proof was appalling. As Mallory already told you, goodbye Helen. Please leave me and my sister alone," I coldly stated. She hung her head and left the room.

Bobby entered the room before the door could fully close. "I came to spring you," Bobby announced while waving the paperwork.

"Give me a call Janet. Mal and I will organize an outing. We'll even let you bring Mitch," I stated. Janet added her name to the paperwork I just signed.

"We can always babysit for you Janet," Ram offered.

"Thanks, I just might take you up on the offer," she joked. "I'll text you my availability."

"I'll have Steph text you my number. I have a feeling we're going to get along just fine." Before Janet had the chance to leave with the discharge papers, Mallory added, "If you think hanging with Steph's a good time, then you haven't seen anything yet."

Oh boy. I can hardly wait to party with my sister.