A/N: Ha! Another short chapter! But better than nothing eh? And I did say these were going to be short chapters…. Unfortunately we are not going to see much of Ranger in this chapter….
I don't know if there is a Marriott in Trenton or if it has a Sixth floor or a room 610... just go along.
Thank you everyonewho reviewed!
Chapter 4: Mystery Door #3
In the car again, heading in toward the center of Trenton. Ranger wasn't looking at me, not even a glance. The tension was high. Maybe I could talk to him later, when we got back to the Rangeman building. I wouldn't want to interrupt his zone.
Few minutes and we pulled up in front of the Marriott. I looked at him as he pulled into a parking spot. He handed me a key card. "Sixth floor, room 610." His voice was expressionless; I stared at him for a moment.
Then I got out and walked in. I guess he doesn't want me around anymore. Why didn't he just leave me at Joe's then?
Like Ranger instructed I took the elevator to the 6th floor and found the door that fit the key, but then I tried to open the door the top lock was on. I heard some movement behind the door and then it opened.
I was staring at Mary Lou.
"Stephanie." She said no surprise in her voice, but registering the confused look on my face she explained. "Ranger thought you could use some time with your best friend and I could use some time away from the kids." She then hugged me and pulled me in, closing and locking the door behind us.
The suite had a couch, TV, a kitchenette and a door probably to the bedroom. She sat me down on the couch and went to the refrigerator. When she turned around she had Ben & Jerry's Phishfood in her hands.
I reached out and she handed me the container and a spoon. Mary Lou knew what I needed. She turned and grabbed a container and spoon for herself and came to the couch.
"You want to cry Steph?"
I stared at her for a moment and then the tears came. I tried to hold them back but Mary Lou just leaned forward took the ice cream away from me and wrapped her arms around me. I did the whole serious ugly crying and then slowed down to a sob.
I wanted to talk but I didn't know what to tell her. So I just didn't need to hear about anything that happened to me that night.
"How many?" She asked. No one knew the details of what happened that night except for Morelli and Ranger and they didn't say anything to anyone, I think.
"Only one." We were quiet for sometime, I'm pretty sure Mary Lou didn't know what to say. Why would she?
"I don't know what to say Steph. I want you to talk to me, but I don't want to force you either. But eventually you are going to have to talk to someone. Especially Ranger, he's worried." This got my attention.
He looked angry to me the last time I saw him. But then against he did take me to a therapist, but is he wanted to talk all he had to do was ask. But that would be a problem for Ranger. It would require him to actually speak in full sentences.
No point getting angry with him right? No point.
I stared into my ice cream for a while and then went straight for the remote. I turned the TV on and flipped to a movie. Mary Lou looked a little worried but she just watched TV with me.
After a while she went into the bedroom. I heard some talking coming from in there. She must be on the phone. Then it was quiet and she walked back in.
"Checking on the kids." Mary Lou said to me with a smile, but her eyes were still concerned.
"How are the kids?" I asked, I should be easier on her.
"Pain in the ass, Lenny's not much help. The kids are driving him crazy."
Silence again, that wasn't much of a conversation. I flipped through the cable guide and noticing Girl, Interrupted was playing and right below it Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. I perked up at this. "Mary Lou, remember how I wanted marry Indiana Jones?" I asked her as I turned to the channel. This got conversation started and we talked about old times until night.
Around 10 Mary Lou declared her self "pooped" and went into the bedroom to sleep. "Back to the kids tomorrow."
I stayed on the couch for another hour, flipping through channels, but my body was getting tired. I wanted to sleep too.
I sighed; it really wasn't a good idea to sleep tonight. I might just worry Mary Lou, but I gave in and went into sleep.
I was shopping at Macy's, looking at shoes. There were ladies everywhere, shoving each other and fighting for shoes. Before I knew it there were ladies around me, their numbers growing, Then their faces changed and I was being pulled deeper into the crowd, their hands all over me, pulling at me. I was screaming for help, struggling to free myself from their grips.I sat up in a sweat, my tank top soaked in it. I dropped back into my pillow. Staring at the ceiling. I could hear Mary Lou in the bed next to mine, she was sleeping.
A/N: Now… I know I haven't made this public but I am neither a Babe nor a Cupcake. I refuse to choose sides, which is why it has taken me a while to write chapter 7 of Lost (for those who keep up with that fic). But I have finally made a decision about Ranger and I'm about half way done writing the chapter! - 04.12.05