Sorry it's been so long...

The thought of Ranger dying made me want to cry, 'I don't want you to die either.' I said forcibly.

'Then you'd better live a long time then.' Ranger suggested, his lips tipping up.

I smiled genuinely and kissed him, 'It's a deal, Ranger.'

Chapter 18

'Let's go.' Ranger suggested, as the room started to fill with forensic experts from Rangeman.

I nodded soundlessly and I walked out to my hall. Ranger slipped an arm round my waist and he didn't complain when I took the lift – in fact, he rode down with me. He opened the car door for me and I slid inside, feeling a little numb.

Ranger cast me a worried glance, but said nothing. He started the car and we angled out of the lot. Five minutes later and the purr of the engine soothed me to sleep; though it was probably helped by the after affects of the adrenaline.

I woke feeling more comfortable than I've ever felt. I was floating on a cloud, basking in the warmth of the sun…

Huh?

I opened my eyes.

I was lying in a large bed, in an even larger room – probably in an even larger house. The curtains were drawn and the sun was streaming in. I checked the clock: 11am. Guess I fell asleep, but the question is, where?

I scanned quickly over my recent memories;

Dinner.

Hot Ranger, hot kisses.

Psycho present.

Car.

Cloud.

Holy Moly…I'm in the Bat Cave.

I took several deep breaths, trying to stop myself from hyperventilating. My mind was a cross between blank and racing; I'm in the Bat Cave. I'm in the Bat Cave. I'm in the Bat Cave.

And then, more importantly; The Bat Cave is forever. Forever. I'm in the Bat cave, and it's forever.

I pushed my head between my knees and concentrated on breathing.

I felt a lot better after a few minutes, so I slipped out of the bed and padded to the bathroom. There was a cream robe on the door, which is lucky…cos I appear to be naked.

I'm 99 sure nothing happened between Ranger and me after the car – but the doomsday orgasm might have memory wiping properties…I mean, think of all the women Ranger must have ruined; if the doomsday wasn't mind-wiping then all those poor women must be sobbing themselves to sleep every night because they can't have Ranger.

I can have Ranger.

I grinned in the mirror, looking smug.

He wants me; he said so. My grin widened until I had a rather vivid flashback, and not of the sexual kind…

'Do you want a goodnight kiss?' Ranger asked.

'Always.' I replied. He brushed his lips against mine and I sighed in contentment. His hand reached up and stroked my hair gently out of my face.

I was lulled by his touch, and just as I was on the precipice of sleep I heard Ranger ask, 'because I what Babe? Why would I make you cry?'

'Because you don't want me.'

Holy Shit

My heart was thundering in my chest and I didn't know what to think. Were his actions of the past week or so nothing more than an elaborate seduction? Or was he just trying to prove to me that he did want me?

He said he wanted me, and not just for sex.

Yes, the annoying voice in the back of my head said, but he's not going to say, 'I want you Babe, but I'm just going to fuck you and leave you, ok?' Is he? I mean realistically, he's not going to admit that if it's true.

But he took me to the Bat CaveThe other part of reasoned – the hopeful part.

How do you know this is the Bat Cave? And even if it is, you're only here because of a psycho – Ranger didn't chose to bring you here.

Shit.

I cleaned up, did my hair, tugged the robe tighter, and then stepped out into the hallway.

I followed the noises to the kitchen, where I found Ranger. He was cooking bacon. Ranger didn't eat bacon, not willingly – something about fat clogging arteries and his body being a temple, mental shrug. So why was he cooking bacon?

'It's for you Babe.'

'Did you Esp without even looking at me, or did I say that out loud?'

Ranger turned and smiled enigmatically.

I rolled my eyes and Ranger's smile widened.

'Ranger…' I said hesitantly, not really sure what to say.

Ranger frowned, 'what's the matter? You're upset.'

I thought I was hiding it pretty well…obviously not.

'Um, I remembered when you found out that thing I wouldn't tell you, about why you would make me cry…'

'And?'

'And now-I'm-all-confused-because-I-don't-know-what's-going-on-with-us-with-the-kisses-and-the-underwear-and-now-I'm-not-sure-if-you-want-me-or-if-you-just-said-that-to-get-me-into-bed-or-if-you-care-about-me?' I took another deep breath and hurried on before Ranger interrupted me and I lost my courage.

'And-if-you-do-care-about-me-then-what-does-that-mean-for-us-because-you're-lifestyle-doesn't-lend-itself-to-relationships-but-now-I'm-at-the-Bat-Cave-and-the-Bat-Cave-is-Forever.'

Ranger moved the bacon off the hob and turned to me.

'Babe.' He said. 'Have I ever lied to you?'

I dropped my eyes to the ground, looking at my feet shuffling on the shiny wooden floor. 'Not that I know of.' I muttered.

Ranger's bare feet came into my vision – wow, the man even had sexy feet. I'd never thought feet were sexy before, but honestly, I wouldn't mind taking his big toe into my mouth and sucking and then maybe I would…

'Steph.' Ranger said.

'Huh?'

'You can suck my toes later. Now, let's deal with this.'

I felt myself flush bright red, one of these days I'm going to learn to control my mouth and the things that come out of it. And in to it. Like Ranger's toes. Mmm.

'Babe.' Ranger said, his voice a shade away from laughter, 'focus here.' He reached out and tipped my head up slightly, forcing me to meet his eyes.

'I have never lied to you Babe.' Ranger said, all traces of amusement gone, 'I might have not mentioned things, but I've never lied. Do you believe me?'

I nodded.

'Good. Then why would you think I'd started to lie to you now? I want you Steph, and not just for sex. I want you. You. Do you believe me?'

I froze.

Did I?

'Yes.' I said, a heart beat later.

'Good. We're getting somewhere.' Ranger took a deep breath, 'I do care about you.' He said. 'And my lifestyle doesn't lend itself to relationships - it's very hard having a relationship with me; I work crazy hours, and sometimes I get moody and unreasonable, and I have dangerous enemies. But I'd change for you if that's what you wanted.' He said softly.

I held his gaze, 'It's because you'd change for me that I'd never ask you to.'

Ranger stepped even closer, his body radiating warmth, 'Thank you.' he breathed. His breath teased my neck, sending shivers down my body.

'And the Bat Cave?' I managed to ask, my voice a tad lower than normal.

Ranger smiled, his head dropping so that his lips grazed the sensitive shell of my ear. I shivered again as Ranger whispered into my ear, 'Oh Babe, the Bat Cave is still forever.'