Ch. 6

When Ranger arrived back at his own apartment that he kept in the building, Tank was waiting for him outside his door.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Tank asked.

"You know what Tank? Steph's making herself sick over this confinement and I need to figure out what I can do for her. Can talking wait until morning?"

"I think it should be now Ranger," Tank said with enough seriousness in his tone to catch Ranger's attention.

Ranger cast an inquisitive glance Tank's way. Seeing the determined—and concerned—look on Tank's face, Ranger blew out a resigned breath and invited Tank into his apartment.

Tank had been dreading this conversation the last couple of days. He'd been trying to fight his suspicions, hoping he wouldn't have to have to talk to Ranger, but after seeing Steph today, he no longer felt that was an option. Steeling himself, he said, "We have to finish this operation up soon. We're not going to be able to keep Bombshell here much longer."

Ranger had been using his own resources to try and track down Leslie's location himself, and he didn't appreciate having his failure to do that challenged by one of his men. Ranger glared at Tank. "What do you mean? We'll keep her here as long as she needs to be protected."

"She's pregnant Ranger." Tank blurted out the words before he lost his nerve to say them.

Ranger maintained his glare on Tank, too shocked by what he heard to bother altering his expression. "What do you mean she's pregnant? What makes you say that? And how would you know anyway?"

"Well, I don't. Not for sure. But just look at the facts, man. She's been moody and argumentative as hell, and..."

"I just told you being cooped up here is getting to her. Of course she's moody," Ranger interjected before Tank had a chance to finish. For some reason, the need to deny Tank's theory was strong inside Ranger.

"And she got sick tonight. And…" Tank censored himself, not sure how to delicately put this next part so as not to incur Ranger's wrath more.

"And…go on Tank. Talk."

"And her chest is more…you know…there's just more."

Ranger had noticed that, but he didn't like the fact that Tank had noticed. It unsettled him although he didn't know why. He certainly had no claim on her. He just sure as hell knew he didn't want his best friend looking at her that way. With his emotions uncharacteristically unsettled, Ranger opted to lighten the tone of the discussion before it ventured into territory he didn't want to enter.

"I wouldn't let Morelli find out you were looking at his wife's chest. He's likely to rip your eyes from their sockets."

Tank impatiently waved his hand as if this statement was an impossibility not worthy of his consideration. Not too many people got the better of Tank.

"Look, the fact of the matter is I'll bet I'm right and if I am then she's going to need a doctor soon. We can't keep her locked up in here and it's too risky to keep bringing someone in to see her."

Although Ranger still wasn't sure he believed Tank was right, he had been considering arranging a meeting with Morelli anyway. "Fine, I'll arrange to have Morelli come here so we can formulate some ideas for ending this once and for all. It'll do Steph good to see him anyway. After that's settled, we can do something about confirming your suspicions."

"Don't you think you should try finding out now?" Tank asked.

"No, I don't. I don't want to give Steph more to worry about until we've worked out a way to end this."

Tank looked as if he had something more to say, but Ranger was anxious to be alone and didn't want to discuss this with Tank anymore. "Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. Good night, Tank," Ranger growled, summarily dismissing Tank. Knowing Ranger the way he did, Tank left without issuing another word.

Once Tank was gone, Ranger dropped onto his couch. Another problem for him to deal with. How could this get so complicated? Ranger thought to himself. Oh well, at least that solves one of my problems. There was no doubt in Ranger's mind anymore that he would have to get Joe here. Tomorrow he would go about finding a way.