A/N: Well, darn! As I was rereading prior to posting I realized that this is the shortest chapter in the story...so I decided to post twice today! Look for another chapter immediately following this one :-)

Chapter 11

Carlos Mañoso AKA Ranger was one of the most unawarded, anonymous, successful operatives the U.S. government had ever utilized. The agencies he'd been most beneficial to were the same ones that denied his existence. Ranger hadn't been surprised when the offer had been made months ago to rejoin the government in a different capacity. It was Shaw's Maxim for Revolutionists. He who can does; he who cannot, teaches. He'd laughed when he'd been asked to become an instructor after his retirement from RangeMan. Recent events had caused him to reconsider. He needed a way to get to Georgia anonymously. He could fly commercially, but chances were Tank would find out, and this was something he didn't care to share with Tank. He would do this completely alone.

It was a tribute to his skill set that the Department of Homeland Security was still interested in him, all these months after his accident. It was beyond serendipitous that they had a training facility in Brunswick, Georgia. He would take a private flight to the training facility and consider the position offered to him. And then he'd stay in Brunswick for several days, ostensibly to get a feel for the community. At the end of that time he'd tell them he wasn't interested in the position. And he'd know whether Georgia was going to play any part in his life.

"Are you sure you should go?" Cally asked. She was once again massaging the underused muscles of his lower leg. She'd told him his running days were probably over, but he hoped she was wrong about that. Certainly, he wasn't ready for that type of exercise yet, but he wouldn't give up on the possibility of once again running, no matter what Cally said.

"Yes," Ranger replied. "I've checked with my doctor. He's given his approval. I'll wear the brace, use a cane and make sure I do my exercises every day. You've taught me well, Cally."

"I just think you might have a little trouble in the close confines of a car or a train seat," she said. "You've done so well I don't want you to undo anything now."

"I appreciate your concern," Ranger told her. "I was supposed to go for an interview a month or more ago. They won't hold the offer forever. And you don't need to worry about the cramped seating. It will be a quick flight on a private plane. The government thinks I'm worth it, I guess." He'd given her minimal details of his trip. He'd neglected to mention his destination, and she'd assumed he was going to D.C. He didn't correct her.

"Do you think you'll be back before the weekend?" she asked.

He knew she was really asking if he'd be back before she left for her mother's. She planned to spend a week with her mother, and she'd hoped he'd accompany her. He knew that wasn't a good idea.

Ranger considered what he should say. There was a possibility that she'd see him there, if things went well with Stephanie, but he knew better than to tell her. Finally, he said, "I won't be accompanying you to Georgia. I don't think that would be the best way to reacquaint your mother with my existence."

"You're going to have to tell her," Cally said. "I can't keep you a secret forever."

"I'm not asking you to," he said. "Just have a little patience. I'll take care of the matter soon. In the meantime, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Sure," Cally said. "Anything." She looked up at him from her position on the floor where she continued to massage his calf muscles.

Ranger smiled. "Anything? I'm going to hold you to that." He smiled again as he saw the wariness creep into her expression. Her blue eyes squinted slightly, and she frowned at him. And he saw her mother. He lost track of his train of thought for just a moment, and then he refocused.

"I told you there is a possibility you could be in some danger," he said. "I think you listened, and I think you took me seriously, but I'd like to take things a step farther. I have someone I'd like you to meet. Someone whom you can fall back on if you need help."

Cally's attention was focused on his words, and the wary expression deepened, but she listened without interruption. "When Tank and I are away you need to have someone that can back you up if you need it. I don't know that you're in danger, but until I can prove that you're not, I'd like you to have some…support."

"What kind of support?" Cally asked.

"I asked you to be aware of your surroundings," Ranger said. "And I know you're doing that. What I have in mind is just a little added protection."

"You mean like a bodyguard?" Cally asked. The astonishment in her voice made Ranger smile.

"More like a friend you can call if you need help. A friend who will come to your aid without needing messy explanations."

"I don't think that's necessary."

"It might not be," Ranger agreed. "But I'm leaving for this job interview, and Tank is out of town on business for me, and I'd feel better if you had someone who could step to your defense if necessary—and you promised."

Cally sighed. "Oh, all right!"

"Good. He'll be at your place tomorrow at seven. His name is Luke Santos. I've known him all his life. His father is one of my closest friends."

"Are you telling me the complete truth here, Carlos?" Cally asked. "You really believe I need protection?"

"I am telling you the truth," Ranger said. "And the truth is I will rest better knowing you have some support in case you need help while I'm gone."

What he didn't tell her was that Luke was on his private payroll. He'd be watching over Cally for the time Ranger and Tank were away. Luke would be discreet and competent and watch over Cally in much the way Ranger had watched over Stephanie in times past. The memory made him smile.

"What?" Cally asked suspiciously.

"You remind me of your mother," he told her, and he saw that his admission disconcerted her. He had accomplished what he'd set out to do. He'd provided a measure of protection for Cally and he taken the focus off his trip. He didn't want to lie to her about his plans, but it was imperative that no one know his true plan.

"You'd better head home, Cally," he said. "I know tomorrow is a workday for you. I appreciate all the time you give me."

"Carlos! You make it sound like you're a job to me. We're beyond that now, and you know it."

"I know it. It doesn't mean I can't tell you how grateful I am for your help. Head on home. I want you to get to your place before nightfall."

"Will you stop that!" she said. "I'm perfectly fine, but if you keep acting like there is someone after me, it's going to freak me out."

"I don't know that anyone is after you," he said. "I'm not trying to scare you. I'm trying to emphasize that you need to be careful. That's why I want you to meet with Luke."

"All right, all right," she grumbled. She gathered her gear, gave him a hug and left him with a little finger wave that punched him straight in the gut. Yes, it was time to go to Georgia.

Tank had received a call earlier in the day from his contact at WITSEC and he was on his way to D.C. for a meeting with his old friend Althea. The stage was set for Ranger's quiet departure. He got up and began to pack for the most important mission of his life.