Chapter Two: Forced Family

While Ranger was getting checked out by Bobby, Stephanie got dressed in Rangeman sweatpants and a Rangeman shirt. She came out and saw Ranger wearing similar clothes. "You two will be on medical leave until cleared through our Rangeman therapist," Bobby said, reminding them of the standard operating procedure.

"Got it, Bobby," Ranger said.

"Come on, babe, you can stay with me if that is okay with Bobby?" Ranger asked.

"Yeah, I don't want you two alone right now," Bobby replied.

Ranger and Stephanie left the medical wing and got into the elevator. Ranger pressed the button for seven. They looked at each other but were too nervous to say anything.

Once the elevator stopped on the seventh floor, Stephanie stepped out first, and then Ranger followed her. Ranger walked to the apartment door to unlock it. He let Stephanie into his apartment. Ranger followed her through the door. Once they were inside, Ranger closed and locked the door.

Stephanie sat down in a chair and started to cry. "This is nuts. Why would he want me pregnant? It makes no sense. What happens now?"

Ranger walked up to her and knelt in front of her. "Everything is going to be alright. I am here, and I will remain here by your side. When we feel a little better, we will go to City Hall and get married." Ranger told her, still kneeling in front of her. He wrapped her in his strong arms. Ranger looked around his penthouse, taking in the appliances, TV, couch and recliner.

"Ranger, do we have to see a therapist?" Stephanie asked as she looked into his eyes. Ranger was still kneeling in front of Stephanie.

"Yeah, we must. It is part of the debriefing process. Don't worry, I will be with you the entire time. You will not have to go to the therapist alone. I am not leaving your side," Ranger told her again. He kissed her on the lips, hoping that she would not shy away from him.

Stephanie wrapped her arms around his neck, embracing the kiss. "Let's try to get some rest." He picked her up and carried her to his bed. Ranger noticed that she was still shaking even though they were both safe.

"After we visit the therapist and get to the point where we get cleared to work again, we will find and bring Morelli home. If your pregnancy gets confirmed, I will help you raise the baby. It's the reason Morelli chose me instead of Stevens. Morelli knew that if you got pregnant, he wanted me to be the father instead of that monster. He knew I would take care of you and the child," Ranger explained gently as he held her in his arms.

"Please, keep holding me, and never let me go," Stephanie said through fresh tears. They closed their eyes and tried to sleep through the night.

The following morning Ranger woke up with Stephanie in his arms. He got up and put on some cargo pants. He walked into his kitchen and took out a bottle of spring water. The past month came flooding back to him. The three of them are in a maze searching for Stevens before they get hit from behind. Waking up in chains, seeing Babe strapped to the bed. Stevens came in and ripped her clothes off her. Shawn Stevens saying, "Morelli, I am giving you a choice. I can take her, as he was rubbing her sweet spot. Or you can have Ranger take her. Morelli saying, "Ranger."

His memory got interrupted by a knock at his door. He looked out and saw Tank. He opened the door wide enough for Tank to enter.

"Hey, come on in," Ranger told him.

"Boss, you look like hell."

"Thanks, Tank. I have lost 10 pounds. Stevens planned this. I don't think he was working alone, Tank. I think someone put him up to it. Morelli is as good as dead. Stevens will not leave any witnesses. Yeah, he left Babe and me, and you know why." Ranger looked at his first in command.

"I have everyone searching for him. Everyone who is out in the field will be looking for him. Boss, we will get him. Meanwhile, you just get back to full health. I mean both you and Stephanie."

"Morning, Babe." Ranger turned and saw Stephanie leaning against the door to the bedroom. He walked up to her and pulled her into his arms.

"How are you doing?" Ranger asked.

"I don't know. The past month and a half have been a nightmare. I am still having a hard time wrapping my head around this. It makes no sense. It was like you just said, Stevens targeted us. It's like he had planned this, "But why the three of us? Why Joe, you and me? I want answers," Stephanie said to Tank and Ranger.

"You both will get them. I promise," Tank told them and then left the penthouse.

"You do know why Morelli chose me. It was not just the fact that he wanted me to be the father of this one." Ranger put his hand on Stephanie's tiny baby bump. "Morelli knew what would happen if Stevens fathered your baby," Ranger told her as he continued to hold her tight.

Ranger's phone rang, "Yeah."

Sandra spoke, "Ranger, I will have some time free in half of an hour for both you and Stephanie."

"Thanks, Sandra," Ranger told her and then hung up