A/N: *SQUEEEE* Thank you for all the comments, follows and favorites! You guys are my most receptive fandom so far ! I'm kind of giddy about it :) So I start a brand new job tomorrow and don't know when I'll be updating next, hopefully soon! This is a shorter chapter but I thought it ended right.* edited and readded*
Chapter 5
Stephanie POV
After firearms training I make the trek up to my desk on 5 and groan when it comes into view. There are a stack of searches on my desk that could only have come from Rodriguez the ghost… I'm afraid to even check my email. I grabbed a cup of coffee from the break room, and sat down to start. Two hours in and I've worked my way through part of the stack, but am no where to being complete. My neck is unbelievably tense and my shoulders are on fire. I pull my massive curls up into a semi bun with a MacGyver type contraption of rubber bands and try and rub the tension away when I feel another set of hands on my neck. I jump in surprise but quickly recover.
"Jesus Bobby, you scared the crap out of me!" I start to scold him but then realize what he's doing. "Oh… wow…" I shut my eyes and hang my head to give him better access.
"Geeze Bomber, your neck feels like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders. And your shoulders feel even worse." He dug his thumbs into my shoulder blades, trying to work out the kinks. "Les came and talked to me earlier, said he sent you back to the apartment to rest. You feeling any better?"
I managed a moaning yes and hear him chuckle to himself as he continued to run his fingers over my tired muscles. His ministrations lasted about 10 minutes total, but it felt like 10 seconds , it definitely wasn't long enough. By the time he was done I am practically asleep at my desk, but also completely turned on. The man has magic fingers , that's the only explanation. When he stopped I almost fell backwards in my chair. "Wow Bobby… uh .. thank you." I attempted to get out of my chair but my legs weren't quite ready for the weight and I stumbled against him. He caught me laughing and kissed me quickly. Not the forehead or cheek action like this morning … no this took me by surprise - right on the lips and I liked it… actually I liked it a lot. I leaned into him, kissing him back. After a second we broke apart and I could see desire clouding his eyes. He shook his head and stood me back up on my feet, making sure I was steady before letting go of my arms.
"I wanted to check in, and let you know that our date is Saturday… All day , if that's okay with you?"
All day date? I was intrigued. "Of course! I'm looking forward to it. Can I ask where we're going?" I smile and give him my best doe eyes.
He grinned that thousand watt smile at me "You can, doesn't mean I'll tell you." He winked and gave me one last quick kiss before heading off to parts unknown. I sat back down, renewed and ready to continue to work.
A little while later I feel the back of my neck tingling . Dammit, Ranger is around. I decide now is as good as time as any to hash this shit out, so I turn off the computer and get ready to leave when I see him. Standing in the doorway of the break room, he's staring at me. To his credit he didn't approach me, he was just watching. I sighed and walked up to him. "Ranger."
"Babe." He was testing me… seeing if I was going to snap at him again. In all reality I was still annoyed, but I honestly didn't want to fight anymore.
"Can we have a civilized conversation where I don't throw things at you and you speak to me in more than one syllable?"
"I think I can manage that. Hungry?" At that moment my stomach rumbled, breaking the tense atmosphere and I had to giggle. "I take that as a yes." I remembered I hadn't eaten near the amount I should have for today, so I nodded and followed him. Instead of going to the car like I figured we would, Pino's was always our go to, he pushed the button in the elevator to 7.
Floor 7. Rangers personal apartment was on floor 7. I started to panic, I hadn't been up there since that fateful night. I felt his hand on mine, squeezing it tightly before letting go. "Babe. We can go to my office instead." In my panic I forgot his office was up there too.
"Oh, yeah. That's … yeah." Good god Plum. As we exit the elevator and make our way to his office his cell phone rang.
"Yo." Rangers typical greeting.
I couldn't hear the other side of the conversation, but Rangers eyes cut to me immediately. Shit that can't be good. He made non committal noises before hanging up and turning to me.
"That was Eddie." Eddie Gazarra, fellow 'Burg survivor and married to my cousin Shirley the whiner, is one of TPD's best cops and a dear friend of mine. He actually beat out Morelli for detective when Joe was being accused of murder and was chased my yours truly, which pissed Joe off almost as much as being accused of murder did. Since then he moved up even higher in the ranks , and I trusted him as much as I trusted my Rangeman guys. Whatever Eddie was calling about couldn't have been good, Ranger had an exasperated look on his face. "Our talk will have to wait, Bowman escaped."
What the hell?! Escaped??
"Yes Babe." Oh damn, I did that thing again where I thought I was thinking something and I actually said it out loud. I do that a lot around Ranger and he typically just smiles at me, but tonight he had other things on his mind. He called Tank to request we all meet in the conference room to strategize, and we made our way there.
My mind was going a mile a minute. This guy was a high value target, if he escaped he definitely had help. But who would risk their freedom to help a killer? We walk in and I see most of the team assembled already, leaving the head seat open for Ranger. He takes his spot and I lean against the wall, not wanting to intrude. I catch Lester's eye, who is shooting daggers at Ranger (although he doesn't see it) and I just shake my head.
"Eddie called- Ron Bowman escaped TPD custody tonight." A round of chatter followed but stopped when Ranger held up his hand. His eyes cut to me again when he said the next part. "Joseph Morelli was shot in the process." All of Rangeman turned towards me as I gasped, pressing my hands over my mouth… then I started to see spots. Usually when that happens I'm about to pass out.
Sure enough I wake up laying on the floor staring up at a group of faces peering down at me. "Dammit, it happened again didn't it." I hear Bobby's voice coming from near the top of my head, and then I see his face come in to view.
"Give her room guys." He shooed everyone away from me as he held my head in his lap, grabbing his penlight from his medical bag . That thing goes with him everywhere pretty much. " Hey Bomber. Just lay still for me, I need to check for a concussion. None of us could grab you before you hit the ground, I'm sorry."
Ugh. I'm such a fricking mess. "Bobby it's fine. " I wave him off and attempt to sit up as I'm met with a massive wave of nausea. The men can tell by my face and Lester jumped up to grab the trash can, but I make him to stop. I shake my head carefully. "No I'm okay." He holds out his hands and pulls me up slowly, then sits me down in the closest chair while Bobby kneels in front of me , shining that blessed penlight. After he's satisfied he squeezes my hand and stands up, taking the seat next to me. "I'm sorry Ranger."
He shakes his head "No reason to apologize Babe. Morelli is okay, it was a through and through but the bastard shot him with his own gun and is on the loose. Eddie wanted to make sure you were under watch at all times, apparently Bowman was running his mouth about how he was going after the bitch that set him up."
Peachy.