As the explosions rolled the truck over and over and over I didn't even scream. It's hard to image that it's possible that you can become blasé about these kinds of things, but I'm telling you quite honestly that it's not only possible but probable that you can. I should know. My life didn't flash before my eyes. I just closed my eyes and went with it and tried to keep my body relaxed. I've learned that if you just let it toss you, you get hurt less.

When the SUV stopped moving I was dangling in the air and Ranger was below me and he was quiet. I mean he was quiet for him after something happened to us. Usually he'd be asking if I was okay or something. I could hear the sirens in the distance and knew that help was on the way. I could see the restaurant burning behind us. I could see the smaller explosions rock the building. I groaned when I realized the guys were still in the building and tears slid down my face.

"Ranger," I said softly over my tears. "Ranger," this time I said it a little more loudly to get his attention. He didn't respond to my voice. He didn't move. He was quiet. "Ranger, talk to me. Come on Ranger…talk," I pleaded. I got nothing from him. I reached for the 'oh shit' handle and pulled myself up with one hand and unlatched my seatbelt with the other and lowered myself down. I was careful to plant my feet where he wasn't. As a matter of fact, my right foot was on the pavement on Williamson Avenue right where the driver's side window used to be. I bent and touched his neck to make sure he had a pulse and breathed a sigh of relief. He was alive. That was good. I unbuckled his seatbelt and he slumped against my leg and the pavement and was still. I squatted again, "Come on Ranger…you have to help me out here. I can't lift you out of the truck honey. Please…"

I heard Mitch's voice first, "Oh my God, that's Ranger's truck." Then I heard the pounding of footsteps and Mitch's face was in the windshield. "Oh God, are you all right?"

"He won't move or answer me," I said tearfully.

"Hold on," he frowned. Seconds later he tossed a blanket into the truck through the other window. "Cover you both up. I'm going to break the windshield out."

I nodded and squatted down and covered us both up. I could hear pounding and then the glass broke and he pulled it out of the truck.

"Come on out Stephanie," he said reaching for me.

"I can't leave him," I whispered.

"Come on honey, I'll get him out. Do you smell the gas? The fire's very close. You need to get out and out of the way so I can get Ranger out."

I did smell the gas. I also heard the urgency in his voice. I moved. I swallowed and let him help me out of the SUV. I stood shivering in the middle of the street bleeding from multiple spots on my body and completely oblivious to it and any pain I may have while Mitch, Lester and Mike got Ranger out of the car. I registered that they were alive and that was one less burden. But Ranger wasn't responsive and that scared the shit out of me. The ambulance arrived just as he was laid on the ground.

"Move back," Lester yelled to the ambulance driver and the police cars arriving at the scene. "There's gas and fire."

The two vehicles moved back and the guys carried Ranger to the ambulance and inside.

"Go with them," Mitch said kissing my head and shoving me into the ambulance before the EMT got in. "We'll be there as soon as we can."

"Was there anyone else in there?"

"Everyone was out," he said seriously.

I nodded and looked down at Ranger. This was bad. This was really bad.

At the hospital they rushed Ranger immediately toward surgery and tugged me toward the ER curtains. "My husband…" I pleaded with the attendants.

"We'll let you know something when we know," the woman said kindly.

I filled out all the paperwork and got some stitches and argued with Dr. Funny Bone…or Dr. Riley about checking into the hospital. In the end, he just led me to the surgical waiting room after making me call someone to come and stay with me. I think I dialed some of the numbers automatically.

Men in black stormed the place and took up residence in varying corners and doorways. Anywhere anyone could get to either Ranger or me they were there to block. I would have expected nothing less.

An hour after I arrived at the hospital I was sitting in the surgical waiting room with Ranger's sister Celia. His parents were on their way. My parents were on their way. Ranger was in surgery. He had massive internal injuries. The airbags had not deployed. I wondered for the millionth time if it was sabotage.

Celia reached for my hand and smiled.

I struggled to force a strained smile on my face, "how long has it been?"

"It's only been a few minutes," she assured me.

I took a deep breath and got to my feet to begin pacing just as Lester, Mike and Mitch came hurrying into the room.

Mitch came straight for me and hugged me tight, "is he still in surgery?"

"Yea," I swallowed. "He has massive internal injuries."

"From the steering wheel," he frowned.

"There were no air bags," I said softly.

Lester kissed my cheek and headed for Celia. "How are you cousin?"

"I'm okay. I think I'm better than Stephanie."

"She may have left him," he said softly, "but she loves him."

"I know," she smiled. "I really do wish he'd get his head out of his ass."

"Me too," Lester sighed.

Mama and Papa Manoso came rushing into the room seconds later. They pulled me into a three way hug that made me weep with relief. I didn't know that I needed them that badly.

"Anything," Papa asked over my head to Celia.

"I'll go check."

"I know people here," I swallowed.

"This is Celia's hospital," Papa smiled smoothing back my hair. "She delivers babies here."

"She does," I smiled.

"She does," he nodded.

Two hours later the surgical waiting room was full and I was pacing. There was nothing anyone could say that could calm me. All I could think was that if he died he wouldn't know that I still loved him more than my own life. He wouldn't know. What if I had missed my chance?

Mitch dropped his arms around me and pulled me close, "you must sit and rest Stephanie. This was trauma to you as well. You know the doctors said that you needed to be admitted for observation."

"I stayed in the hospital," I said grimly. "They can observe me pacing."

"You're supposed to be resting," he said seriously as I pulled away.

"I can't…what if…what if…" My head dropped miserably. "He could die and he thinks I hate him. I…"

Mitch's hands caught my shoulders, "no honey…there is nobody in the world that thinks you hate him. Nobody…"

My father pulled me into his arms, "Pumpkin, deep inside of him Ranger knows how you love him. He does. He is understandably upset that things are as they are now, but he is completely aware that this is by his own hand. He doesn't think that you hate him."

I buried my face in my father's neck and sobbed. I was exhausted and I was scared and I just wanted to touch him again. That's all I wanted.

Hours more went by and I sat staring out the window as the sun bathed the central courtyard below. I didn't see the people meeting and hugging over coffee. I didn't see the doctors and nurses rushing through to go home or to make their shifts on time. I saw nothing. All I could see was Ranger's listless body as he was removed from the truck and as he was rushed into surgery. That's all I could see.

The waiting room door opened and the doctor came into the room with his surgical scrubs on and a very tired face. "Mrs. Manoso," he said softly and searched the room till he found my face.

I got up and started toward him on wobbly legs and Mitch caught me on one side and Papa on the other. "Yes…"

"He's in critical condition. His lung and his aorta were perforated along with quite a few other injuries. We have patched him up and now it's a waiting game. We'll need to monitor him very closely to make sure that we've done a good job, but we're…we're…," he saw Celia's face and stopped.

"Jake," she swallowed.

"It's bad Celia," he said quietly. "I don't know."

That was the last thing I heard.

I came to in my own hospital bed with my mother sitting beside me. I could see Rangeman uniforms outside the door and knew they weren't taking any chances. There was no telling who the bomb was for.

I groaned and struggled to sit up.

"You have to stay still dear," Mom said softly dropping her knitting to the floor. "You can't be moving around."

"Ranger…"

"Honey…its touch and go," she said quietly. "They're doing all that they can."

"Is it enough," I whispered miserably.

"I don't know," she said and kissed my head.

"When will we…" I groaned and struggled again to get out of the bed.

"I don't know," she said with a frown. "But you have to be still."

"Do I have another concussion," I sighed.

"Among other things," she agreed.

I rolled my neck to ease the tension, "when can I see him?"

"Celia will be here soon. She'll let you know when you can see him."

I sighed, "Mom, I know you're watching out for me. I know that you love me. But believe me when I tell you that if I don't see him soon…I'm going to lose it."

She nodded and went to the door and spoke softly to whoever was there. She returned a few moments later, "She's on her way."

Celia came bustling into the room a few minutes later wearing scrubs. "Are you giving your mother a hard time?"

"If it was your husband," I pleaded softly, "if it was…"

She put her hand up, "you can go down there for a few minutes. I mean it Stephanie. You have to be careful with yourself now."

I swallowed and whispered painfully, "I hear you, but I need him." The tears dripped down my cheeks and landed on my hospital gown.

She gritted her teeth and nodded, "Mitch?"

Mitch hurried into the room.

"Take her to Ranger."

He nodded and came toward me.

"In a wheelchair," she said in amusement. "You don't have to carry her."

"Right," he nodded and left the room to get one.

"These guys…you're around them all the time?"

"Pretty much," I agreed.

"They love you," she smiled.

"It's mutual," I said with a sigh.

"Yea," she backed toward the door, "my brother…he did good choosing you. Too bad he didn't do a better job of keeping you." She waved and left the room.

I had to agree with that one.

Mitch came back with the wheelchair and frowned.

"What is it," I raised a brow.

"You're in one of those backless numbers," he bit his lip.

"Oh…yea," I nodded.

"He'll kill me if I touch your ass," he said seriously.

I laughed, "Well, do you think it would wake him up if you do?"

He grinned, "Lester…we have a problem."

Lester stuck his head in, "what's the problem?"

"Where are Stephanie's clothes?"

"Cal and Natalie have them," he frowned and glanced over at me as the light dawned. "Oh, I'll go get them."

"Thank you," he shook his head.

Natalie came into the room moments later with a piece of my luggage trailing behind her. "You guys," she groaned and hugged me. "You've got to stop scaring us."

"Believe me," I assured her, "I'd like nothing better. Did you pack me some clothes?"

"I did," she agreed. She raised a brow at Mitch and pointed to the door, "Out."

"Yes ma'am," he grinned.

"You raised one brow," I said proudly.

"I've been working on it every day since the cruise," she said opening the suitcase. "Okay, we have panties and some nice pajamas."

"Thank you," I said sitting up gingerly before swooning. "Why am I dizzy?"

"Er…you were in a car accident," Mom reminded me.

Okay…why were her eyes shifty when she said that?

Natalie marched back to the door, "Mitch, come back."

"She's dressed already?"

"Nope, we need help. The lady is dizzy."

"Nat…," he turned pale and backed away.

"Look, if Lester does it he dies almost immediately. If Cal does it, well…our marriage may not survive. Tank is not here to help me, so it's got to be you. You're the only one left that he won't kill."

"I'll kill myself," he groaned.

"Thanks Mitch," I said and my lip trembled.

"Steph," he leaned over the bed and glared at me, "you're a beautiful and sexy woman and if that jackass of a husband of yours doesn't get his shit together I'm going to start moving in on his territory. Kappish?

I blushed hotly, "er…yea. We'll do the underwear. You do the easy part."

"Good," he straightened.

Mom, Natalie and I managed to get the panties on me. They even did a pretty damn good job of getting my pants on me. It was the pajama top that gave them hell.

"Okay," Natalie frowned. "You just keep her steady?"

"How the fuck do I do that," he groaned.

"Just put your hands on her waist and don't let her fall over."

"Oh for heaven's sake," Mom shook her head. She put Mitch's hands on my waist and glared at him, "close your eyes."

"Yes ma'am," he nodded.

Natalie grinned and they put my pajama shirt on while I blushed. "God I love being part of this very dysfunctional family."

I grinned.

"You can open your eyes now Mitchell," my mother said sweetly. "You did a lovely job."

"Thank you ma'am," he nodded and scooped me up and put me into the wheel chair.

"Thank you Mitch," I said quietly. "I want to see my husband."

He rolled me down the hall into the critical care unit. The nurse smiled at me, "Hello Stephanie."

"Hi Glenda," I said breathlessly.

"He's hanging in there," she said seriously.

"I'm going in," I said and my jaw set.

"I wouldn't dare try to stop you," she assured me.

Mitch wheeled me into the room and pushed me to the bed and left me alone in the room.

I struggled to get the courage to raise my head and look at him. Instead I found his hand and reached for it and leaned my face on it and cried. After I cried myself out I struggled out of the chair and managed to make my way onto the side of the bed. It was then that I looked at him. He was hooked up to tubes and oxygen machines. I wasn't sure he was breathing on his own.

"Ranger," I whispered as my fingers slid over his face to his throat, "Ric…I love you. I can't stop that and I'm not sure that I want to anymore. It's the purest, truest feeling I've ever felt in my life and I don't want to stop. I love you. I love you so much. I need you to stay with me. I need you on this planet even if we're not together. I need you to stay…please stay. Please," I choked over my tears. I lay down on the bed beside him in the narrow space that he wasn't using. I rested my face against his arm and just breathed him in. No matter what life gave or took from me I knew that he was my love and my life. I think I've known that almost as long as I've known him even if I didn't want to admit it to myself. I could walk away from Joe, but Ranger never asked me to. When Joe wanted me to walk away from Ranger, I couldn't do it.

"You know," I said tracing patterns on his palm with my fingers, "the first time I saw you…I felt the tingle and the feeling in my belly and below," I smiled and kissed his arm. "God, I had no idea that it was possible to get that kind of immediate attraction. You kept telling me that you'd ruin me for all other men," I smiled. "Wow…you do live up to your word." I swallowed. "Do you know what loving you means to me? It means knowing that I'm safe whenever you're near. It means knowing that you'll keep me in check and as much as it sometimes annoys me, I know I need it. I don't think someone who was meeker than you could really handle me long term. I know I don't want a man who will let me run him anymore than I want a man who will run me. I want a partner. You've proven, for the most part, to be a good one. We're a good team." I sighed. "And every time I look at you, my breath catches…even now you're so impossibly beautiful that my heart is pounding out of control and I just can't stop looking at you."

A few moments lapsed, "that's why I want to have babies with you. I always imagine that we'll have children that look just like you," I whispered. "I don't care if they look a thing like me, I want them to look just like you so when you're working…I can still see you living and breathing all around me."

His hand tightened on mine.

I raised my head and blinked. He was looking at me. "Oh God…I love you. I love you." I reached for the call button and Glenda came hurrying in. "He's awake."

She smiled, "I'll page Dr. Kent."

"Thank you," I said and never once did I take my eyes from Ranger's. "Don't leave me. Don't you dare leave me!"

He squeezed my hand again and closed his eyes. I panicked for a moment, but the steady hum of the machines and the steady beep of the heart monitor finally convinced me that he was alive.

Celia came rushing in followed by the surgeon, "he's awake?"

"He looked at me," I beamed over my tears, "and he squeezed my hand."

The surgeon came close and Ranger's eyes opened again. "He's awake," he confirmed.

"I have to go tell my parents," Celia said tearfully and hurried out of the room.

"Mrs. Manoso, I think I'm going to have to ask you to move off the bed while I check him out."

Mitch came rushing in.

"He's awake," I said tearfully.

Mitch smiled and put me back into the wheelchair.

"Just wait outside for a few moments."

"But…"

"Please," he said softly.

I sighed, "Okay, take care of him."

Mitch wheeled me out of the room and another nurse headed inside. Mitch leaned against the wall and I just sat there and struggled for control. Ranger's parents joined us in our wait with Celia in tow. Both leaned down to kiss me.

"We should have taken her to see him sooner," Mama said seriously. "He would have come out sooner if he knew she was there."

"I know Mama," Celia said softly. "But since she was out…there wasn't much chance of that."

She sighed.

"Wait…how long have I been out," I frowned.

"Day before yesterday," Mitch said quietly.

"Oh," I blinked. I slept an entire day.

"You needed it," Celia assured me. "Believe me when I tell you that it was necessary for your body."

Mitch shook his head at her.

She sighed heavily and leaned against the wall beside him.

He nudged her with his shoulder and she relaxed.

Something was going on there. I didn't sense anything between them romantically, but they definitely knew something that I didn't know.

Dr Kent emerged from the room with a smile. "He's awake. He's lucid. He's aware. He's very worried about his wife," he smiled at me. "I think we're out of the woods."

I felt the world lift off of me. "Can I go back in there?"

"Let us get him a little more comfortable first and then you can take a few minutes before we move him out of CCU. This ward is for people in danger."

I smiled, "Thank you."

"You're very welcome," he winked at Celia and returned to the room.

I felt my body relax in the chair and then, once again, the world went black.