Ranger's Bargain Chapter 2
Click. Why does he always hang up on me? "Ok. Let's go."
"Where?"
"Wherever Ranger is."
"I'm not authorized to take you there."
"Well then call Ranger and get authorized." Steph pauses. When he doesn't appear to do anything she yells, "Now."
He jumps and starts fumbling for his phone. Steph hears, "Boss...Yeah...Okay." That's it. End of conversation.
"Is that part of the Rangeman training?"
"What?"
"The speaking in one word sentences thing."
"No. Military."
"Oh. Of. Course. " She rolls her eyes as only a burg woman can before grabbing her purse and walking towards the door. When he doesn't follow immediately, she pauses and asks, "Coming?"
He sighs and mutters, "Women."
The bargainer held the door open for Stephanie as she got in. While the bargainer went around, Steph settled in and got comfortable. Shortly after he started driving Steph drifts off. She didn't wake up until they were almost directly in front of Ranger's house.
"We're here."
Eager for her first look at the batcave she looks out the window. "Wow." Steph breathes. In front of her she sees a dark green three-story house. She steps out of the car and slowly turns around taking note of the carefully landscaped gardens before walking up to the very ornate looking door. It has one of those old-fashioned doorknockers. This one is made out of pewter and has the shape of a dragon's head. Steph slowly trails her finger along the intricate designs before picking up the knocker and knocking on the door. After just one knock the door opens, almost as if Ranger had just been standing there waiting for her to arrive.
"Babe."
Ok. I have to concentrate. I'm mad at him. No matter how gorgeous or sexy he looks or how much I love his house, I still have to remember that I'm mad at him. Yeah, that's it. I'm mad at him. Oh crap. I've been silent too long. He's just staring at me. Steph say something, anything. "That's a really awesome doorknocker. Where did you get it? I really love your door, too. What's it made out of?" Oh, great. Now I sound like an inane bimbo.
"Babe, you're not an inane bimbo."
Stupid ESP. "Aren't you going to answer my questions? Or are you just going to pull your evasion bullshit, again?"
"Babe, when have I ever evaded your questions?"
"Well, let's see. Do you want that alphabetically or chronologically? I mean the mysterious stuff was fun for a while, but it's gotten old, now."
"Have I really evaded your questions that many times? I don't remember that."
"And he wonders why I'm mad at him?" Steph mutters.
"Well, if you really feel that way about it, I'll tell you the door is made out of teak and I bought the doorknocker in either China or Japan." Ranger sees Steph getting ready to explode and quickly adds, "Why don't we move this conversation inside, so that the neighbors and animals don't have to hear us."
"Fine." Steph clips out.