AN: I LIVE!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Yes I'm back and finally and I am about finished with it. Sorry about taking forever but life took a few unsuspected twist and turns. So hopefully you guys enjoy this.
Chapter 20: Settling In
The next day Chris took purposeful strides as she walked down the hall, this was a show down with Ryan. Not the sparring match she had challenged him too but a talk. She was going to corner him and have it out with him, to set the tone either working together or always at odds. Well she hoped for the third option somewhere in between working well together. That was the best not completely in agreement but not always at odds. She spied him going into the workout room and followed him in.
"Ryan!"
Ryan POV
I hear my name call as I turn I come face to face with Chris. She has her hair pulled back and into a bun. She's wearing a red T-Shirt and a Black Button up long sleeve shirt. I was a little shocked at seeing her there I really didn't think she'd be around today at all.
"We need to talk no more running it doesn't suite either of us lets go." She says. I brace for this conversation what sucked was the truth was that I had been running. There is something about Chris that attracts you to her. Honestly and I don't know if it more or not. I've never been in love before so I really don't know. I should ask Dana she's got something with Carter. This kind of scared me and made me want to protect her.
"Look Ryan... How to start this?"
"I'm sorry" I say in response to her hesitation. It was the best place to start, I did owe her an apology she isn't as helpless as I thought she was.
"That's good. Look I'm not going into details but I haven't had the greatest experiences growing up. I literary had to fight for my life and because of that I'm a bit more skilled than other people. I don't know what you went through with the demons, but you don't know what I went through growing up either." I feel a bit sheepish I really hadn't thought anyone would have as bad as a life as I've had.
"You're right it's just I've been a Ranger longer and as the second in command and since Carter is out for the count I need to protect everybody." I say as Chris shakes her head thinking about it.
"It doesn't count Ryan."
"What doesn't?" I have no idea what she means.
"Protecting fellow Rangers. It doesn't count to making up for what happen, what you did. You are a good person Ryan but you need to protect the rest of the world not just us. We watch each other backs and we'll be fine. Trust me and I'll trust you we'll get along famously." She said sticking her hand out. I looked at it for a second before I shook her hand and then she smiled.
"Now how about that sparring match?" She says with a sly smile.
"Sure whatever?" I said the next thing I know I'm staring up at Chris. "That's not fair"
"I know but your face is funny." She said getting ready to help me up. I pull her arm and she rolls over we both flip on our feet. She kicks off her shoes and I do the same. I try kicking and once again I'm on my back. Flipping back up I do a spin kick she goes down for a sweep I jump and as I land I swing back with a back kick which she grabbed and used to flip me. No more than a second after I landed she knocked me on my back again and stopped a punch an inch away from my face.
"HA! Joel you owe me twenty bucks!" came a familiar voice from the side it was Kelsey.
"AW MAN!" Joel voice whined "Ryan you let me down."
"Excuse me" I retort. Chris offers me her hand and helps me up.
"I told you to put money on Chris Joel, Kelsey listen to me." Chad said. Dana was just giggling at everything.
Chris's POV
I watch them all through my old eyes and I see for the first time in a long time hope. I miss days gone by and times long since past. These five Strangers united together to become a team of Rangers. They are worthy indeed there is no lie or doubt in that. They are strong and once Carter returns they will become stronger. In time they will defeat the forces of Bansheera. However, they are going to need a little help before then. I find myself smiling like I haven't in a very long time. I can almost forget what had brought me home to find that message. I could almost forget about what happened almost but the shadow lingered and I don't it will ever disappear. For now I will carry the weight and for the moment I will forget and join in their laughter and celebration.
AN: Now I don't think I'm quite finished with this. Assuming I can find the old file and I didn't delete from all my copies. We shall see. Any suggestions for the next story are greatly appreciated. Email ideas to christal2084yahoo.com thanks a bunch and please review.