Chapter 8

I dressed in a blue oversize t-shirt and yellow running shorts. Fashion be damned. Ranger had been wearing his standard black bad-ass bounty hunter gear, so I figured a splash of color was in order. Besides, this way I was ready if he decided we needed to go running. I swiped on some make-up, going heavy on the mascara for courage. I was going to need all the courage I could get if I was going to start asking the man of mystery questions.

I studied the effect in the mirror and decided I was passable. Miss America I wasn't, but probably small children wouldn't run screaming in the other direction if they saw me. Heaven knows Ranger had seen me looking far worse, and he was still around. I squared my shoulders, took a deep breath, and opened the door. Woman on a mission. Time to find the bat kitchen!

I peered out from the doorway, taking in the view. The bedroom opened out onto a loft. There was a small sitting area containing a sofa and a couple of big chairs all in black leather. There were also several bookcases stuffed with books along the wall. I moved to look over the railing. Directly below and in front of me was a huge living room/game room. There was an entertainment center with all the necessities, a wrap around leather couch and matching chairs. In one corner of the room was a pool table and a dart board. Hmm, something to try out later.

Looking the other direction I could see a bar in front of a window into another room. My spidey sense told me that was the kitchen. Well, that and the view of a refrigerator through the window.

I took a final look around, then headed for the stairs. I passed 2 more doors before I reached them. In a normal house those would be extra bedrooms. Here, no telling.Probably where he hid the command center.

After making it down the winding staircase I followed my nose to the kitchen. Those pancakes smelled yummy. I stopped and took a look around before stepping into the room. It had the same color scheme as the bathroom, all blacks and grays. The appliances all matched, and there was tons of counter space. My mom would have killed for this kitchen. Me, I was more impressed to see Ranger standing in front of the stove flipping a pancake. From where I stood I had a nice view of his backside. It would have been a sin against nature not to stare.

See something you like, Babe? Ranger asked without turning around.

Um, yeah, I said licking my lips.

He turned around, and he was chuckling!

Maybe you can sample that later. Let's eat first, he said.

Gulp!

He grabbed two plates and set them on the table. I brought the pancakes and a bowl of strawberries over. I was surprised to see there was already coffee and a sugar bowl set out, along with the silver ware. No syrup, but at least I got caffeine.

I asked as we sat down. Are you in disguise again?

Ranger's eyebrow quirked up. Not yet.

Well that was informative. I shrugged to myself and dug in. The pancakes were a little wheaty tasting, but perfectly fine covered in strawberries with a liberal sprinkling of sugar. Of course, they would have been better with maple syrup, but I should probably just thank my lucky stars I got to have coffee. I was dining with a health nut.

The guys will be here to go over the Velasquez situation in a few, Ranger volunteered.

I nodded at him since I was busy wolfing down food. Guess my grilling him for answers was going to have to wait until after the guys left. We finished eating in silence and cleaned up quickly. We had just finished in the kitchen when a buzzer rang. I wasn't going to let an opportunity to see where I was pass me by, so I followed Ranger to the door.

As it turned out, I still didn't find out where I was. I couldn't see anything past the three large ex-army men in the doorway. I even recognized them all: Tank, Bobby and Lester.

Hi guys, where am I? Couldn't hurt to ask.

Tank and Bobby just looked at me. Lester burst out laughing again. He finally got himself under control and answered.

Don't you remember sweetie, you're at the Bat Cave. Apparently that was just too much for him and he doubled over again. After about a minute of all of us glaring at him, he finally calmed down.

Yes, I know I'm at Ranger's, but where? I asked. Ranger looked over at me.

Not yet. He turned to the men. Let's get down to business. He turned and led us into the living room. I settled into a corner of the couch. Ranger took a seat beside me. Tank and Lester sat on the other end of the L-shaped couch, and Bobby sat in a chair. I hoped they had found Velasquez. I'd like to wring his neck myself, after someone took away his gun, of course.

Tank handed Ranger a file and began speaking.

Bobby and I were unable to track down Velasquez last night. Lester has info on a possible location.

We all turned to Lester. He seemed to have completely recovered from his earlier hysterics. He was all business when he spoke.

Velasquez was spotted by one of our informants at the airport. He was boarding a plane headed to Denver.

Ranger nodded. Check it out. He turned to Bobby. Do you have what we need?

Bobby nodded and handed him a small cardboard box. Id's and credit cards are in here, he answered.

Ranger opened the box. He pulled out two id's, one with my picture and one with his on it. I looked at mine. Looked like my name was going to be Linda Carter. Cute. Just like Wonder Woman. I peered over at Ranger's.

Bruce Wayne? I looked over at Bobby. This was Lester's work, wasn't it?

Bobby just grinned. Tank was sitting showing no emotions. Lester answered.

Didn't want you to forget your aliases. he grinned.

I narrowed my eyes at him. There would be payback, just as soon as I figured out what to do to him. I looked over at Ranger.

I'm going to assume we're going after this guy. I'm going to guess just having fake id's isn't going to quite cut it as being undercover, so what's the plan? I asked.

We're flying to Denver to track him down. We'll pose as a couple. Lester planned the disguises. he answered. Was it my imagination, or did he look a little worried about the disguises?

I am not dressing up as Wonder Woman! I yelled. Four sets of eyes came to focus on me, and I started to blush. Guess I said that a little loud.

Oh, no, this is much better, Steph. We're going to dress you up as a hippie. Lester answered. I swear he's really got to do something about those laughing fits of his.

I'm not wearing bell bottoms either! What? I felt strongly about bell bottoms. Then I thought about Ranger wearing a tie-dye and bell bottoms and I started laughing!.

She's priceless, you know that? one of the guys said. I couldn't see who it was, because tears were running down my face. Ranger in tie-dye, ha, ha , ha! I finally got my breathing back to normal and glanced up to see Ranger glaring at me. Guess he didn't like the bell bottoms idea either. Quick, have to think of something serious. I saw Ranger's shirt, and that reminded me of the gunshot. Okay psycho guy trying to kill Ranger and maybe me. Yeah that did it, ready for business.

I looked up to hear Ranger saying, We'll meet at the airport tomorrow. Later.

The merry men left together. Just as he reached the door, Lester turned around.

See ya Batman, Wonder Woman! Then he was gone. He was so going to get it!