Lester drove to the airport with Cal and Ranger. He knew his cousin wanted to see Stephanie before she caught the flight to Seattle. When will Ranger get over himself and claim the girl? Lester stopped in the loading zone for Cal and Ranger to exit the SUV and enter the terminal.

Ranger stopped short of the entrance. His hand quickly touched the back of his neck. Lester grinned. Ranger and Stephanie shared the same tingling sensation when the other was near. He wondered why Ranger never mentioned it. Lester rolled down the windows to hear the exchange between his cousin and best friend.

"Ranger," Stephanie screamed. She launched herself into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist.

"Babe," he growled before kissing her. Lester watched Zip help Edna and another woman from the backseat. Zip kissed the attractive woman and watched her enter the terminal after grabbing the luggage from the back of the SUV.

Holy shit! Hal was going to freak out. "Yo, Zip. Does Hal know about you and Hanna?" Lester shouted out the window. Zip shook his head.

Stephanie unwrapped her legs from Ranger and slid down his body, making him groan. She ran around the SUV to kiss Lester. "Leave them alone," Stephanie said after kissing Lester's cheek. "Zip plans to tell Hal."

"Okay. I'll let it go for a week, then I'll tell Hal myself," Lester warned.

"Good. Thanks. I've got to run. Are you ready, Cal?" Stephanie asked.

"Not really, but I don't have a choice," Cal replied. Ranger kissed Stephanie once more before releasing her. His hands rested on her ass for a few seconds longer than publicly acceptable. Ranger put the strap of the messenger bag over her head. He grazed her breast as he fixed the strap. Stephanie winked at Ranger before linking arms with Edna. She wanted to jump his bones but didn't want to get arrested for indecent exposure.

"Come on, grandma. We have a flight to catch," Stephanie said. She watched Ranger's ass disappear inside the SUV.

Zip waved out the window before driving away. He would spend the weekend in New York before heading back to Trenton.

"When are you going to pull your head from your ass?" Lester asked his cousin when he closed the SUV door.

"The day you stop sleeping around," Ranger retorted. Lester didn't buy whatever it was that Ranger was selling. He knew Ranger loved Stephanie. Only the fear of his enemies targeting her was preventing him from having his someday with the beautiful brunette.

"She looks good," Lester said.

"Stephanie is pretending to be happy. I can see she's barely hanging on." Ranger noticed her smile didn't reach her eyes. Lester wasn't surprised that Ranger picked up on her sadness. Ranger knew her better than anyone. "Maybe sending her on this adventure was a mistake," Ranger added.

"It would hurt Stephanie more if she could have done something for Edna but didn't," Lester wisely said. Ranger knew his cousin spoke the truth. Stephanie loved her grandmother. There wasn't a thing Stephanie wouldn't do to help Edna.

Lester drove in silence. He had many thoughts swirling inside his head. "How did you know which man was suited for each trip?" Lester asked when they were half an hour away from Rangeman.

"I know everyone's backstory. I'm curious how Edna knew which locations to visit," Ranger replied. Lester wanted to know the answer to that question too.

"I'll ask when we go skydiving if Cal doesn't get the answer sooner," Lester offered. Ranger gave Lester an imperceptible nod.

~~~~~~~~~~

Edna fell asleep on the flight. Her head rested uncomfortably on her shoulder. Stephanie used the controls to shift her grandmother into a more comfortable position. Hanna arrived a few seconds later to offer a blanket. "Thanks, Hanna," Stephanie said.

"How is she doing?" Hanna asked.

"I noticed she needs more naps," Stephanie sadly replied. "I really hope we make it." Hanna tapped Stephanie's shoulder to offer comfort. She excused herself to assist the other passengers on the flight.

Cal tapped the seat beside him. Stephanie looked around before sitting beside her friend. "Did you purchase this seat, too?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

He smiled. "Yup. I most certainly did. It gives me more space. As you can see, I'm not a small man." Stephanie laughed and commented that was true of all her Merry Men. "What do you need?"

"I've been thinking."

"That could be hazardous to your health," he retorted.

"Ha ha ha, Cal. You're quite the comedian. What's your story?" she quietly asked.

"You already know," he replied. Stephanie did know, but she wanted to hear it from his point of view. Cal sighed, making Stephanie grin. Since Edna, Cal, and Stephanie were the only occupants in first class, Cal decided to share the story. Stephanie wiped the tears from her face.

"I may have known, but hearing you share the story gave me an idea of how it affected you. We all have secrets, Cal. I'll wait until we're secure before sharing my story."

"Scoot closer and tell me." Cal pulled Stephanie until she nestled on his lap. He tossed the blanket over their legs and held her hands on top. Nobody would mistake their closeness for inappropriate activity on the flight.

Stephanie whispered in his ear. "Giving up a child is the hardest decision to make. When I gave my daughter to my cousin, I cried for weeks. I was seventeen and not remotely prepared mentally or financially to raise a child. Vannah wants to meet me, but I'm too scared she hates me. My cousin said she wasn't angry. I want to believe him," Stephanie confessed.

"Is the cop her father?" Cal asked.

"Yup. I'm sure your parents felt they had no other choice. Have you tried looking for them?"

"No. Like you, I'm afraid of their reactions," Cal replied. Stephanie rested her head on his shoulder. Cal took advantage of their proximity to whisper in her ear. He shared that his latest mission for the SEALs reminded him of his childhood in the foster care system. It brought the feeling of abandonment to the surface. Cal wasn't sure how to connect to his coworkers.

"I know what you mean," Stephanie replied. "Well, not exactly, but I felt my mom abandoned me when she never stood up for me. She let the Burg run roughshod over me since I was a child. Letting down my guard to let someone in scares me. I'm afraid of commitment. Getting married and divorced from Dickie didn't help matters. What's the story around the tattoo?"

Stephanie knew the answer before Cal said the words, "I got the tattoo on my forehead to keep people at a distance." Stephanie laughed because it didn't work for her. She saw through his gruff exterior. "I doubt anything would keep you away."

"I can think of a few ways for you to get onto my shit list, which are guaranteed to keep you from getting close to me." Stephanie refused to tell Cal how to get on the list.

"Dickie and Barnhardt got on that list?" Cal asked.

"Yup. Barnhardt is the reason for the list," Stephanie joked. Hanna walked past Stephanie and said they were getting ready to land. Stephanie moved off Cal's lap, then sat beside her grandmother. After Hanna helped Stephanie move the seat back into position and fasten the belt, Hanna announced over the communication system for the passengers to take their seats. Edna woke up during the announcement.

She leaned forward to look at Cal. "Did he share the story?"

"Yes. We'll talk more when we get to the airport." Edna accepted Stephanie's explanation. She would talk to Cal to learn more about whatever kept him awake at night.

Cal carried the luggage while Stephanie walked beside Edna to the car rental booth. "Why are we renting a vehicle?" Cal asked.

"I promised Lester and Hector to rent a car whenever possible. We have more privacy than taking a cab," Stephanie explained.

"But why are we renting a car today?" Cal asked, clarifying his original question.

Edna looked at Cal. She assessed his expression before saying, "Steph arranged for the Enterprise Rental place to pick up the car at the marina. We have one waiting for us in Alaska when we arrive at the docks."

Cal remained silent. He thought it was a waste, but trusted that Stephanie knew what she was doing. Stephanie thanked the man when he passed her the key. She guided Edna and Cal to the parking spot to get the car. Cal and Edna got into the car while Stephanie walked around the vehicle.

Stephanie reached beneath the wheel well to remove something. She stuck it on the car parked beside them. "What are you doing?" Cal asked. Edna leaned over to whisper. His face turned red from anger. Cal waited for Stephanie to remove the two bugs from inside the car. She tossed them on the ground, then crushed them with the heel of her boot.

"Okay. We're good," Stephanie said. Cal drove to the marina, following the signs posted on the streets. "Hector gave me the bug and tracker detector. We never know who's listening."

"I don't understand why it's necessary." Stephanie sighed, then explained that people tend to relax in cars and spill secrets they should keep.

"It's why we don't take cabs," Stephanie explained. "I want my Merry Men to talk freely."

Cal thought it was a bit paranoid. What chance did their vehicle have of getting monitored? "Pretty high in this case," Edna reminded him. "What's your story?"

"I was six when my parents dropped me off at the local fire station. They knew how much I loved fire trucks. I was excited when my mom said I was spending the day with my heroes." Stephanie interrupted to tell Cal to take the next left. Cal continued, "The men on duty waited until nine that night for my parents to return. When they didn't pick me up, the fire chief contacted the police department. I know the police detectives went to my home and found it empty. They canvassed the neighbourhood. My parents rented a moving truck. When Mrs. Carrington told the police I got sent to my grandparents in Detroit, they knew my parents abandoned me."

Edna wiped a tear from her face. "Did they find your family?" Edna asked.

"No. I don't know their real names," he confessed.

Stephanie gasped. Cal hadn't mentioned that on the plane. "Who are they?" Stephanie asked.

"My parents went by Calvin and Sadie Hobbes," Cal replied. "I got named after my father. I've searched for them while I was in the Navy, but I couldn't find a viable lead." Stephanie made a note on her phone to research Cal's family.

Did they leave to protect Cal? Are they wanted criminals? Too many options entered Stephanie's mind. She would spend a few hours per night letting her spidey sense guide the searches. "Where did you live?" Edna asked.

"Next right," Stephanie said. Cal turned the corner, then followed the road to the marina.

"Foster homes until I turned eighteen. I joined the Navy," Cal replied. He parked the car in the designated area, then gave the key to the attendant for the lot.

Stephanie felt sad for Cal. Her mind wandered as she tried to determine why Cal's parents gave him up. "Don't focus on that right now, Steph," Edna said. She tugged on Stephanie's hand, pulling her toward the cruise ship.

Cal followed a porter to their cabin. He grinned when he entered the suite. They had a large living room area with three bedrooms divided by curtains. The washroom was oversized. "Sweet," Cal said when he entered the main room. "I fit in the shower."

"We have a private deck," Edna added. She stared out the window at the blue water.

Edna and Stephanie giggled. "I reserved the largest room. It put a significant dent in our reserves, but we had to accommodate you," Stephanie said. "We're expected to stand on the deck to wave at the people on the dock." Cal opened the safe to store Stephanie's valuables and laptop. He got Edna to put her purse inside before he locked it.

Stephanie held onto Cal's and Edna's hands as they returned to the top deck. Edna leaned over the side of the boat. She grinned and hollered at the couple kissing. The woman wiped her eyes and watched the man walk the plank onto the ship. "I wonder where he works," Edna said.

"The kitchens," Cal replied. "He's wearing the typical clothes." Edna thought the crew would already be aboard when the passengers embarked. Stephanie explained they boarded before the upper-class decks. The economy decks were the last to walk the plank onto the boat. "Stop saying "walk the plank," Stephanie," Cal criticized. "It's a rope bridge with wooden slats."

"To-may-to, to-mah-to," Stephanie replied, then stuck out her tongue. It wasn't mature, but Stephanie loved jerking Cal's chain.

Cal stood behind Stephanie and Edna, protecting them from the other passengers. He put his hands on either side of Stephanie and Edna, cocooning the women between his strong arms. Stephanie leaned against Cal's chest, making him silently laugh.

Goosebumps erupted along Stephanie's arms as a cool breeze blew across the deck. Cal moved closer to offer the women more warmth. "Any closer, and we'd be having sex standing up," Edna joked. "I know you have a good package."

"Grandma," Stephanie exclaimed with a laugh.

"Just keeping you warm, Edna," Cal replied.

The woman standing beside Stephanie said she was lucky to have a handsome boyfriend. Stephanie laughed when Cal pressed his crotch into her ass. "Did you miss the flaming skull?" she asked. Stephanie reached up to brush the hair covering Cal's tattoo. The woman gasped and took a step back. "Keep your hands off my man," Stephanie sternly warned.

"Thank you, darling," Cal whispered. "She grabbed my ass. Showing her my tat made her back off."

"We're going to have so much fun," Edna said.

Once the cruise ship pulled away from the dock, the captain's mate called everyone to attention. He explained the rules of the ship. Mostly, the occupants in the executive suites of the Norwegian Cruise Line got escorted to their levels and had to prove they rented cabins on the deck. It seemed a bit hoity-toity and expensive to Edna, but she understood the necessity to make Cal comfortable.

Edna assumed Carlos would have upgraded their accommodations if they selected a lower-class stateroom. Stephanie had learned the hard way after their economy class flight seats got upgraded to first class. She didn't bother reserving the cheaper seats.

Stephanie barely listened to the crew describe where to find the rafts in case of emergency. "We have one on our deck," Edna whispered to Stephanie.

"Grandma, we don't have any clothes for the ball," Stephanie said when they returned to their suite. The crew passed out brochures for the activities available on the ship.

"Do they have a boutique?" Edna asked. Stephanie read the brochure and found the shop on the map. "We should take care of that now. Cal, can you grab our wallets?"

"No need, Edna," Cal replied. "We can have them charge it to our suite."

Stephanie and Edna were relieved. Neither woman was interested in walking across the boat a few times before they could shop. Cal let Stephanie and Edna hang off each arm as he escorted them to the boutique.

Edna found a deep purple shimmery gown which fell to her ankles. She selected silver sandals to wear. Stephanie chose a blue dress to match her eyes. The dress fell to her ankles, but it had a slit on the right which stopped at her hip. Cal whistled when Stephanie exited the dressing room.

"Stephanie, you look like every man's wet dream," Cal said. Cal took a few photographs before letting Stephanie change. He sent the images to Ranger, Bobby, Lester, Tank and Hector. The women found a shirt for Cal to wear with the custom made suit he brought for the trip. It got carefully folded and placed on the top inside his duffle.

~~~~~~~~~

Lester fell off his chair when he opened the text message. Stephanie looked over her shoulder at Cal taking the picture. The dress was backless, plunging to her waist. It fit snugly against her body with a slit on the right. Her muscular leg peeked through the split fabric. "Good Lord, Beautiful," Lester said. "You're every man's wet dream."

"Santos, mats at 0500," Ranger barked. Lester didn't notice the other men standing in his doorway. He looked at his watch. Shit! He was late for the core meeting.