Chapter 8 Undercover
Stephanie and Tank got into the elevator. The latter pressed the letter M for the medical floor. They made it to the med level where Bobby was working.
Bobby paused from restocking the first aid kits to ask, "Okay, so I am taking a wild guess here, and saying that you need blood work on Stephanie?"
"Yeah, and this stays between us. Understood?" Tank said to Bobby, watching his facial expression for his confirmation of confidentiality.
"Yes, sir, what do you need?" Bobby asked.
"A pregnancy test. I want it done as soon as possible," Tank told Bobby as he stroked the back of Stephanie's neck.
"Okay," Bobby said. He wondered if Tank was the father. "Of course, Tank is. Otherwise, he wouldn't be here with Stephanie," Bobby thought.
Tank got up on the exam table and pulled Stephanie onto his lap. Stephanie squeaked when Tank wrapped his arms around her before holding out one of her arms. Tank knew Stephanie hated needles and hospitals. He would do anything to make her comfortable.
Bobby and Tank just looked at each other, silently communicating as Bobby took Stephanie's blood sample.
After Bobby removed the needle, he said, "I should have the results tomorrow. Oh, one more thing, I was on my way into the building this morning, and I saw Morelli parked across the street. Until I have the results, try to take it easy Stephanie." Bobby grinned at his joke. Women were resilient, but he knew that the first trimester was the most challenging. Too much stress could cause spontaneous abortion or miscarriage for those who don't understand the terminology.
"Right, no stress," Tank told her. Stephanie reluctantly crawled off Tank's lap. She instantly missed the connection once her feet touched the floor.
Tank got off the exam table. "Thanks, Bobby," Tank said, fist-bumping his friend.
"No Problem."
Stephanie and Tank looked at each other, silently communicating that everything would be okay regardless of the test results and then left the confines of the medical suite.
They got into the elevator, and Tank leaned against the wall. Stephanie looked into his brown eyes, thinking how easy she could get lost in them.
He hit seven, returning her to her temporary home.
As soon as they exited the elevator, Tank's phone rang.
"What?" Tank snapped. He didn't welcome the interruption.
"Hey, hey, easy, Tank," Lester said. "I wanted you to know that Stephanie got a flower delivery from Morelli."
"Right, thanks," Tank said, and then Lester was gone, having ended the call before Tank could give him an order. Tank pulled Stephanie back into the elevator to collect the flowers.
Stephanie's cell phone rang, causing her to roll her eyes when she read the caller ID. "Mom, what is going on?" Stephanie asked.
"I am making pot roast for dinner and wear something nice. I invited Morelli for dinner too," Helen said and then hung up before Stephanie could refuse the offer.
Stephanie looked at Tank, shocked that her mother would keep pushing Joe on her.
"What?" Tank asked, realizing something was wrong.
"My mom invited me for dinner, and she wants me to wear something nice. She also invited Morelli for dinner," Stephanie said as she looked at Tank, wondering how to get out of the command dinner invite.
Tank threw the switch to stop the elevator. "What are you doing?" Stephanie asked with a slight smile on her face. She leaned against the back wall of the elevator. Tank had a sparkle in his eye, indicating he had a brilliant idea.
"Let's get married. We can go to city hall or Vegas and do it. We both know that we can't deny how we feel about each other. If we don't do something about this, it will drive the two of us crazy," Tank said as he walked up to her as she continued leaning against the elevator wall. She liked the predatory look on his face.
"Okay, I am for it. This way, we kill two birds with one stone. I hope after we get married that Joe will get the hint," she added.
"All right." Tank started the elevator again, and this time hit level five. The two of them left the elevator to enter the control room.
"Lester, you are with little one and me. Hector, we will be off-grid for a while. If there is a problem, take care of it," Tank told him.
"Got it." Hector watched Tank, Stephanie, and Lester leave Rangeman.