46. Yards of Blue Fur

Saturday morning Lil woke up with a headache and an ominous feeling. She checked the screen on her phone, expecting that news should be coming about the FBI raids. Of course, Rangeman would likely be the last to know what happened. Tilde's 4th birthday was just over a week away. Lil hadn't had any chance to make plans. Sometimes it stunk having a birthday fall so close to Christmas. Spending the day planning a surprise for her daughter felt like a good idea, and an even better distraction from her bad vibes. When all else fails, plan a party. Why not? She texted Ranger, though figured she already knew the answer.

L: Good Morning Carlos. Can I have a party here for Tilde's birthday? Use roof?

C: Of course. You never have to ask.

L: Thanks Boss!

C: BTW- I just got word from Ramon, Tim was a no-show today.

L: Interesting...

Lil pulled up the schedule for the week to see who her partners would be on Thursday. That was going to be the easiest day to leave the office for some shopping. Seeing that Binkie and Slick would be her escorts, she shot them a text in forewarning of her plan. Their quick and enthusiastic replies were too cute. "Whatcha doing mommy?" Tilde was sure enough dressed as a little girl today. "I need to go shopping this week for your birthday. We're gonna have a party on the roof. I need to get some decorations." Tilde clapped her little hands. "Can I help shop? Will all our friends be there? Can I dress up? Can you make banana pudding?" Holy Moly, she was excited. "Yes, to all of it!" Thus began a tumble-fest around the living room while the peanut squealed for ten minutes straight. Lil called Ella to tell her about the party plans. They had a coded conversation, trying to keep some of the details a surprise from the way too smart little girl. Ella insisted on helping, that woman really was amazing.

Lester and Tank knocked on Lil's door early Sunday morning. Tilde skipped to Tank and climbed up. "Hey Sis, mind if we take Tilde to the roof?" Lil giggled, "Sure, let me get her coat." Tilde was already trying to stick her arms in the holes. Geez, her kid had some kinda social life. Lil told all three of them to 'behave' and shut the door with a grin. Shortly after lunch, there was another knock on her door. "If you're looking for Tilde, she's on the playground." She opened the door, expecting to find Cal or Hal or one of the other guys. Instead, Ranger was standing there with a raised eyebrow. "I'm not looking for Tilde, Dulce. I'm here to see her beautiful mother." Oh. Lil stepped back, granting him entrance. She was trying really hard to not be uncomfortable. They hadn't been alone together since That Night. Was this business related? Was it a social call? Cripes. Why did she suddenly feel so damn awkward? "Can I get you a drink, did you have lunch?" Ranger shook his head, "No thank you. I just want to talk to you for a little bit." Huh. "OK, pick a seat." He moved to the couch and sat, waiting for her to join him. If Lil wasn't mistaken, he looked nervous… fidgety even.

Lil got herself situated, "What's up?" He gave her that mysterious almost-smile, "We haven't really talked since New Years Eve. How are you?" Lil smiled. "I'm great. How are you?" Yup… it was kinda awkward. Ranger chuckled. "Dulce", he sighed, "I've been a bit of a mess." Lil raised her eyebrows. Maybe this had something to do with Cal saying he had been in a bad mood. Then the thought hit her, "Regrets?" Oh Crap, if he regretted their night together she was going to feel like shit. "No Lil, I could never regret that night… But, I think I've gone about this the wrong way..." Relief, confusion, slight irritation; all were emotions battling for control in Lil's brain. "You wanna expand on that for me Carlos?" He shifted, "There's something I should have done before New Years happened… Will you go on a date with me?" His dark eyes were drilling a hole straight to her soul. The intensity of his gaze was almost unnerving. "You… You want to date… me?" He relaxed a little, "Yes, I very much want to date you." Lil rubbed her thigh, "When was the last time you actually dated someone?" Ranger turned a little pink, "My teenage years."

Lil's eyes were as large as saucers. Sweet Cheezits. "You mean to tell me, combined, neither of us have had an actual date in over 25 years?... Shit... Wait a minute… I know you haven't been celibate that whole time… I mean… Look at you!… What, have women just been following you around all this time, waiting for an invitation to bed?… Never mind… Don't answer that." He was wiggling his eyebrows and giving her a smug smile. Lil popped him in the shoulder. Men. "So, what would a date look like? You talking dancing, dinner and a movie?" She laughed, "Or are you inviting me to a redecorating job?" He reached over and pinched her for her wisecrack, then took her hand in his. "No, no work. Dates would look like whatever we want. We'll go places that interest us, do things that make us happy." She was nodding thoughtfully. "What made you want to ask? Why do you think you should have done that first?" Ranger held her hand a little tighter, making sure she understood his seriousness. "I was upset after that night. NOT because of what happened, but because I didn't realize fully what I wanted until after it happened. Dios, I'm not very good at this… A fucking gay man had to point out what an ass I was being for Chrissakes!" Lil was pretty sure he didn't mean to say that last part out loud. The urge to giggle was strong.

They sat in silence for a while, both lost in their own thoughts. She had no idea what was going through his head, Lil could barely deal with her own private musings. Could she date Ranger? Did she want to date Ranger? Did she want to date at all? Was it a bad idea of epic proportions? What about work? What about Erikson and the Mob?… What about Tilde?… Shit. He sat as patiently as possible, waiting, watching the thoughts and fears fly through her eyes. "What concerns you Dulce?" Her response was immediate, "Everything." He chuckled. "You know, sometimes I think you think too much." He stroked her hand with his thumb, trying to reassure the both of them. "We can take it slow. Maybe start over. We can be as private or public as you like. It doesn't matter to me, as long as you say YES." She rubbed her thigh again with her free hand. "Ask me again Carlos." He gave her his most alluring smile, "Lil, will you go on a date with me?" She squeezed his hand. "Yes… As soon as we know the Erikson mess is handled." He brought her hand to his mouth and sweetly kissed her knuckles. "I'm on it Dulce." She chuckled, guess he was even more motivated now...

Walking into the Monday morning meeting, Lil felt like a school-girl who was getting ready to see her crush. Ever since his visit yesterday, she had been operating in a bit of a dream state. Ranger had only stayed in her apartment a few minutes longer after she agreed to the date. Tank called him for backup on a large take-down. Damn that man's timing. He left her with a very proper kiss on the cheek, nothing more. Guess they really were starting at square one. Who says you can't sell the cow if you've already given the milk away! Ha! She was sitting in what had become 'her seat' next to Ranger, waiting for the man in question to appear. The conference room was filling fast, but he and Cal hadn't arrived. When they finally entered the room, three minutes after everyone else, they looked mutinous. Each of the others sat up straighter. Magnus moved to sit in between Lil and Ranger. Ranger's eyes moved to Lil, they softened minutely. "I just got off the phone with the Boston FBI agent. Carlson the Dipshit. The feds completed their raid on MSF Friday night. Sal Maggio, Angelo Maggio, and Matteo Parisi have all been arrested. They're being held in a federal facility without bond. Jacopo and Luca Parisi, as well as Michael Maggio, were shot and killed during the ensuing standoff. Diego and Tim Bernelli were both apprehended on their way to New York… Charles Erikson somehow gave the agents the slip. He is unaccounted for at this time." "Which means", Cal added through clenched teeth, "That they fucked up AGAIN and have no idea where he is." It was hard to say who in the room was more pissed off. Considering that Ranger had a date on the line… it was probably him by a nose.

The group discussed contingency plans, now that the FBI wasn't really running the show. Based on their performance and 'effort' after the Las Vegas incident, they weren't likely to put much exertion into finding Erikson. Frankly, they had the Don, their big fish. Charles Erikson was Lil's problem… Rangeman's problem. A few of the men were quick to remind Lil that no FBI involvement meant they could 'handle' the problem their way. Hector was very fond of that prospect. Calls were going out to informants all over the eastern seaboard that morning. Ranger was doubly determined, if Erikson was out there, they'd find him. With Maggio under wraps, the asshole had fewer places to hide. Tank had been sitting back, watching and listening. He was just as pissed off as the others, but the look on Lil's face was breaking his heart. It wasn't rage or annoyance or fear… it was exhaustion. He knew she was tying to hide it, but he could see the strain around her eyes. She was really tired of the whole situation. Who could blame her? And really, she had handled the entire mess very well until now. It was settled, his little sister needed some serious cheering up. When the meeting ended, he went in search of Ella and Tilde.

Lil wandered into the break room at lunch. Her day had been less than productive to this point. Three hours spent with Cal and his team had not brought any of them closer to finding Erikson. Her head was stuck in the fridge. None of the tasty snacks or sandwiches awaiting held any appeal. Lil was eating because she knew she should, not because she had an appetite. The pitter patter of tiny feet drew her attention to the doorway. "Mommy, have you seen Kitty?" Lil raised her eyebrows and chuckled. Tilde was dressed just like Boo from Monster's Inc. Long pink tee shirt, lavender leggings, and white socks. Her curls were pulled up into high pigtails. "No Boo, I haven't seen Sully anywhere. Want help finding him?" "Yes please." The little rascal ran out of the break room door way, hollering 'Kitty' in her midget voice. Following her daughter's pretend calls, they both ended up in the hallway where Ranger's and Lil's offices were located. Tilde knocked on Ranger's door. He opened it a split second later and raised an eyebrow. "Can I help you Querida?" "I'm looking for a monster named Kitty. Have you seen him?" Ranger was trying very hard to keep a straight face. By this point, all of the Rangemen on the floor had started to gather. No one would miss Tilde's antics. He lifted his finger to his lips, very conspiratorially, then pointed to Tank's door.

Tilde skipped over to the location he gave and knocked, "Kitty, come out Kitty!" Lil could hear Tank's deep laugh on the other side. The massively muscled man swung his door open. Lil really might have peed herself this time. There, in all his glory, stood Tank. Head to toe he was covered in light blue fur with purple spots. There were even two giant white hooked horns on his head. He looked down at Tilde and gave a shout of surprise, "Boo! I've been looking for you!" She ran to him and leaped. The Rangemen were bent over in tears. Lil couldn't breathe, it was too much. How had they convinced him to do this? How did her daughter have all these men so well trained? How had Ella found that much blue fur?