Misunderstandings and Heartbreak

Chapter 2 - You Don't Belong to Me

A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I'm glad you guys are liking this story. I decided to post a little early since I have to work tomorrow and it would be tomorrow afternoon before I could get it up. I figured you wouldn't mind.

;)

Please listen to You Don't Belong to Me by Daughtry.

Ranger's POV

I drove on autopilot to Haywood, scrambling the cameras as I pulled into the underground lot. My blank mask was broken, just like my heart, and I refused to allow anyone to see the pain on my face. I called the elevator to the ground floor and stepped inside. My body trembled as my control slipped ever so slightly. I felt like a caged animal, the walls of the tiny elevator closing in on me. As the doors opened on the seventh floor, I walked into my apartment. Twelve months ago, I'd walked out this door and this place felt like home. It was the place I'd dreamed of coming back to. Now...

I dropped my keys in the dish by the door and saw a picture of Steph in my arms.

"Babe…" My voice broke as I reached down, picking up the frame. My finger traced her face. She seemed so happy to be with me then. I felt my heart break just a little more as I realized never again would I be happy. Never again would I feel love. I flung the frame against the wall. She's not your Babe anymore.

How could I have been so stupid? She never loved me. I'm nothing but a fool. Why did I let her in?I loved her. It's not right! She's supposed to be mine.

I picked up a lamp and hurled it at the wall. "Mine… She's supposed to be mine." I picked up anything that wasn't nailed down, smashing everything that held a memory of her…of us. The apartment mirrored my insides—everything was shattered.

I looked around the room, trying desperately to come up with a reason, a want, a desire to be here. I'd been through hell, to come back to what, exactly?

An empty apartment and a broken heart.

I had to get out of here, I couldn't torture myself any longer. I couldn't watch her build her life with him.

I stepped into the bedroom and looked at the bed. We'd made love here. I'd told her I loved her. Images of that night replayed in my head. The takedown, the adrenaline high, her crashing her lips to mine. It was the first time she'd initiated anything between us. I shook the thoughts from my head and walked into the dressing room, picking up an empty duffle off the shelf, throwing a few changes of clothes in the bag.

I walked over to the safe and entered the combination. The door popped open, and I reached out to pull it open. I saw the ring box, the piece that truly showed how much of an idiot I was. I grabbed the documents I needed out of the safe and then went to close the door but hesitated.

I grabbed the ring box and flipped it open. As I looked at the intricately detailed ring, I knew that I would never again allow a woman into my life. I set the ring back in the safe. Then I grabbed a sheet of paper and wrote her a final goodbye.

Stephanie,

I owe you an apology.

When I went into the wind, I left a note instead of waking you because I didn't want to tell you goodbye. It was cowardly and selfish of me, but I wanted to remember the way you looked sleeping in my bed, where I felt you belonged. I carried that image with me; it gave me hope when I needed it most. I thank you for that.

A year ago, when I told you that I loved you, I meant every word. I left for my final mission thinking you were ready for our someday. I counted on that knowledge to see me through every miserable day I was away from you. While I was gone, I would dream of our future together. I couldn't wait to get back to you, to hold you in my arms, but I can see now that it wasn't meant to be.

I planned on asking you to spend the rest of your life with me, as my wife. The ring's yours. I have no use for it without you.

Don't worry about me creating difficulties for you any longer. My presence will no longer burden your heart. I'm leaving Trenton.

Don't feel bad or have regrets. You finally, for once, made a choice.

Goodbye, Stephanie.

R

I placed the letter in the safe with the ring and walked out of the apartment. Taking the stairs to five, I walked into Tank's office.

He looked up at me. "Man, I tried to call you back, but you'd shut off your phone."

"I don't want to talk about it. I'm leaving. You're in charge indefinitely." I turned to walk out the door.

"Rang—"

I didn't want to think anymore. My hand snapped out and punched a hole in the wall.

"Shit!" I hissed. I hadn't noticed the damage I'd done earlier to my hand, breaking the glass.

"All right, man, I get it. Let me at least help you wrap your hand." As he looked at it, he let out a low whistle. "You should let me call Bobby up here."

"Just stitch the damn thing."

I didn't even flinch as he poured rubbing alcohol over the wounds.

When he finished, I stood up and walked to the door. "Don't call me. Don't help her find me—not that she'll look."

I walked away from my best friend, from my life...

From everything.

TBC...

A/N: Please review and let me know what you think. See you guys this weekend!