Bobby arrived at the hospital just after Dr. Riley left us alone again. He had a host of other Rangeman employees with him to guard the doors of their friends and coworkers and to escort Natalie, Lula and Connie back home or across the street to the hotel.

"You need to rest," Ranger said seriously to Natalie as he squatted in front of her. "You aren't going to be able to see Cal till tomorrow at around eleven at the earliest. Bobby is going to talk Dr. Riley into letting you look through the window in CCU before you go."

"But…"

"Nat…you're no good to Cal if you fall apart. He needs you to rest. When he sees you next, he needs to know that you're okay. So you have to get some rest. I know it will be hard, but you have to."

"How do you know?"

"Because if I was in Cal's position, it would be what I needed."

She sighed, "Bobby will take me to see him first?"

"Yes," he assured me. "Then Jake and Andy will take you either across the street to the hotel so you can sleep or home. That's your call. They'll stay with you and bring you back in time to see him tomorrow. If anything changes at all, Bobby will call you. You have my word."

She nodded.

He hugged her. "Just tell them where you want to go."

"I want to go home," she said softly. "I want to be where Cal's smells are."

He smiled, "okay. They'll keep you safe."

"Thank you," she nodded.

Lula and Connie also elected to go home. Bobby was walking the halls between CCU and the rooms that Tank and Woody had been given. He was keeping updated on their prognosis and progress. He would inform everyone if anyone began to decline.

Ranger went up to Tank's room and I stayed in the CCU waiting room while Natalie looked through the glass at Cal. Bobby held her up, she put her hand on the glass and stared at her husband and cried. I knew how she felt. Sometimes being who we were was hard, but the things that we got out of it somehow made it worth it. I just know that I'd take one day of being loved by Ranger if that was all I could have if it meant he was gone tomorrow. He was worth it.

Ranger's expression when he returned from Tank's room was grim. Tank was awake and he told him what happened. He had gone into the office to finish up some contracts needed for the next day after Lula had gone to sleep. They came in like a swat team. He said there had to be twenty men. They were lucky to be alive. George, it seems, had really upped the ante. Ranger was really pissed. He said Tank was really pissed too. He'd told Tank that I thought Mitch was the target, but he hadn't had a chance to tell him who the doer was until right then. Tank was pissed.

Natalie was on her way home to sleep for a few hours before coming back to see her husband. The hospital was quiet.

"Come on, let's get you home and in bed," he sighed pulling me to my feet.

"I've already been in the bed," I teased.

He smiled, "to sleep this time."

"If you insist," I shrugged.

"You know…I may just have to give you some sugar after all."

I laughed.

I slept till Ranger got up. I think I felt the loss of his body. He was in the shower. I got into the shower with him and wrapped my arms around him. "Hey."

"Hey," he sighed as his hands moved to mine.

"I missed you."

He turned to tug me against him. "I'm headed to the hospital."

"Is there news?"

"No," he shook his head. "I just want to check in with Bobby before I head over to the office to meet with the Feds. I want to be back to the hospital by the time Natalie gets there."

"I'll get ready and you can leave me at the hospital."

"I'll do that," he nodded.

"You're really worried, aren't you?"

"If there weren't repercussions to you and the bean I'd just kill him," he said quietly. "But I can't risk it. I have to do this the right way and that's not really my forte. That's why I need Brian and the Judge."

I nodded.

"You're not going to run off with him as soon as he gets here, are you?"

I raised a brow at him, "I love you. I'm not going anywhere."

"Just checking," he sighed.

"You know what you need," I grinned up at him.

"What do I need?"

"You need some good lovin," I giggled and tickled him.

He squiggled out of my arms and pushed me back, "oh no you don't. I have to get out of here."

"You've never heard of a quickie," I laughed.

"I do not do quickie," he said and he was clearly offended.

"Come on. Try it. You might like it," I reached for him.

"Babe," he groaned as I sank to my knees.

"You might like it," I smiled as I took him into my mouth.

He liked it.

We stopped at the florist and ordered flowers and fruit baskets to be delivered to the hospital and to the CCU waiting room. We also ordered stuff for the nurse's stations. They work hard. They need to be appreciated.

Ranger went to check on Woody and I went to Tank. There were men in black guarding the doors and more in the waiting rooms. He looked rough, especially for Tank. Lula was there and she was bustling around the room filling his water pitcher and looking like she was in her element.

"You may have missed your calling. I think if this radio station thing ever flops you should become a nurse or at least a candy stripper," I grinned.

"I could do that too," she said thoughtfully filling Tank's water glass. "I got me a bedside manner. I could make my patients feel real comfortable. And I'm not shy like some of them nurses and shit. I know my way around the human body. If stuff was hanging out I wouldn't be embarrassed." She disappeared into the bathroom.

Tank raised a brow at me, "you would do that to the world?"

I grinned and leaned over to kiss him. "She's got a hit show. She doesn't have time to candy stripe. Get her pregnant and she'll be too busy for sure."

"Christ…we're working on it morning, noon and night. I have to go to the office to get some rest."

"Funny…I think my husband implied the same thing just last night," I laughed.

"He has been a little late to work recently," he pursed his lips thoughtfully.

I laughed again, "You look good. How do you feel?"

"Like I've been shot," he shrugged almost imperceptibly.

I nodded, "are you as pissed as Ranger is?"

"Oh yea," he nodded. "George is dead."

"One way or the other," I sighed.

Ranger came striding into the room, "Woody's good. Cal was conscience for a few minutes this morning according to Bobby. They'll probably let Woody out tomorrow. You're here till at least the day after unless you improve a lot before then."

"What are you going to do," Tank said seriously.

"Brian Goodman and his father the Judge are on their way from New Zealand."

"Fenton Goodman," Tank let out a low whistle. "The man has resources. I've heard he knows people both inside the government and in the 'family' as well."

"If that was all it was Connie could resolve it," I said thoughtfully. "You know…" I walked into the hall and dialed Terri and Joe's number.

"Stephanie," Terri said when she answered the phone.

"Good, I got you," I sighed. "Do you know what's going on with Rangeman?"

"Oh God, yes… I'm so sorry. Joe said a couple of your guys were killed and three were severely wounded. He said one of them may not make it."

"Right," I agreed. "Cal's better today. His prognosis is good."

"Thank God," she sighed.

"I need a favor."

"Sure…what do you need?"

"I need to know if we can connect the dots from the family to the hit on Rangeman or if it's an outside contractor. They know a lot about Trenton and either they have killer GPS or they're wired in."

"I'll call you back this as soon as I know something."

"Thanks Terri," I sighed.

"Hey…and officially congratulations on your pregnancy," she said happily. "How is it going?"

"Pretty good all things considered," I smiled. "It's not half bad."

"Yea…I want another one. I'm trying to talk Joe into it now."

"Keep trying. Tell him he's not getting any younger."

"Ain't that the truth," she laughed.

"Bye Terri and thanks."

"Anytime," she agreed.

I went back into the room.

Ranger raised a brow.

"I have someone checking into the doer," I said softly.

He nodded.

My phone buzzed and I checked the readout. "Brian and the Judge will be here at about midnight tonight," I said to Ranger.

"Good," he nodded. "They'll come to the new facility. We've rushed forward. Everyone is there but a skeleton crew at the old offices. We can defend it better."

I nodded.

"We'll put them up there. Brian will need our resources to do what I need him to do."

"Okay. I forwarded their flight information to his phone.

"Thanks Babe," he leaned over to kiss my head. "I'm going to meet the Feds."

"I love you," I smiled.

"Ditto," he beamed.

I laughed, "Very nice."

"It's a start," he grinned.

"Ditto," Lula blinked at me. "He said ditto. Oh man, that's like that movie. You know it had that Demi Moore in it and Patrick Swayze…oh crap, I can't remember the name of it."

"Ghost," I said absently.

"Right…that's it."

"Ghost," I frowned.

"You said that," she shook her head.

"What are you thinking," Tank frowned.

"I'm thinking that I need to talk to Mitch," I said thoughtfully.

"He's off limits to you right now."

"Not if I go to him," I took a deep breath. "I'll head over there this afternoon."

"Steph," he sighed. "You need to stay out of this."

"People I love are in danger," I said taking his big hand in mine. "I will do what's necessary to protect them while being as cautious as I can. Do you hear me?"

"I hear you," he sighed. "He's gonna be pissed.

"He wouldn't have me any other way," I reminded him.

"True," he nodded. "Go with God."

I laughed and kissed his cheek and hugged Lula, "I'm going to go see Woody. I'll see you guys later."

"She's crazy," I heard Lula tell Tank when I left.

"Yep…and she's right. We all love her that way," he replied.

Woody was doing great. Connie was cuddled up with him on the bed. I just kissed them both on the head and left them to do whatever it was they were doing. (For the record, I've never done that IN the hospital. The doctors and nurses frown on it.)

I went to the CCU waiting room and found the florist there delivering our surprises. The nurses all came to hug me. Both of the nurse's stations had received the surprises and I was thinking there would be more to come if Cal pulled out of this as well as I suspected he was going to.

Mike appeared in the doorway of the CCU waiting room and grinned. "Good, you're here. I brought food."

I grinned, "You're a Godsend. It's the very devil to get these guys to abandon their stations long enough to grab a bite to eat."

"Well, I brought enough for an army and for the staff here as well. It's good practice for us."

I hugged him as Tree came in carrying a table. Each of the chefs stopped to hug me as they put their loads down and went for more. The waitresses from Unit were not far behind. They went to speak to each of the men guarding the doors and returned to make them plates and take them to them with drinks and whatever else they may need.

"This is so good of you," I sighed.

Natalie came into the waiting room, "holy crap, there are food, flowers and hunks all over the place."

I laughed and hugged her.

"Hi Mike," she let him pull her into his arms. "You did this?"

"Yep," he nodded and kissed her head. "How is he?"

"He woke up for a few moments this morning," she beamed up at him. "He's going to be here a while, but he's going to live we believe."

"I'm so glad. Did you eat yet?"

"I want to see Cal first, but I promise you I'll eat some of your delicious food."

"If you need anything little Natalie, you'll call me…promise," he raised a brow.

"I promise," she whispered. "You're a good friend."

"You know…I've been away from you guys for too long. I'm glad to be back in the fold. It's insane and exciting, but it's so damn comforting."

"Yea it is," she agreed.

"Natalie," the nurse said from the doorway, "I know it's not time yet, but he's awake. Do you want to go in now?"

"Oh please yes," she beamed and hugged me before hurrying out the door.

"You guys are the best," I said as Smith's arm went around me.

My father chose that moment to come into the room.

"Officer on the deck," Smith said and straightened and saluted. This time even Mike went to attention.

"Geez Daddy, Mike doesn't even salute Ranger," I laughed.

"At ease men," Daddy grinned. "Carry on." He hugged me to him. "How is everyone?"

"Woody's going home tomorrow. Tank will probably go the day after. Cal's here for a while, but he's alive and he's awake. Natalie is with him."

"That is excellent news," he nodded. "I'm out driving the seniors around, but I just wanted to stop by and check on everyone. How is my granddaughter doing," he put his hand on my flat belly.

"She's very well behaved."

"Come on Frank," Ranger said from behind us. "It could be a boy."

"Officer on the deck," one of the guys said.

"At ease," Ranger chuckled at Mike's scowl.

Daddy grinned, "no my boy, I'm pretty sure it's a girl. You must atone for your misdeeds."

"Thanks," he sighed and glanced over at the food laden tables. "Mike…this is great."

"We take care of our own. You know that," he nodded.

"I know that," he nodded back. "We're still very grateful. We're all a little bit…you know, out of sorts right now."

Mike dropped his hand on Ranger's shoulder, "it will come together man. You have to have faith."

"I do," he nodded.

Daddy stayed for a few minutes and then went to stick his head in on Tank and Woody before picking his charges up and returning them to their homes. He promised to check back by later.

The rest of us sat around talking and nibbling on the Chef's wonderful food while waiting for Natalie and for the doctor's latest update on Cal.

Dr. Riley bustled in behind Natalie with a huge smile on his face, "it smells delightful in here."

"Have a bite to eat," Ranger said seriously.

"I may take you up on that. But first let's talk about our patients. We're going to let Woody go this afternoon. Quite frankly the nurses believe that anyone who's able to do what he's done should be long gone from here and I agree."

I snickered.

"As far as Tank goes…is that his name…Tank," he raised a brow.

Ranger nodded.

"Figures, he resembles one," he shrugged. "As far as Tank is concerned, we'll see whether it's tomorrow or after. He's sustained a little more damage. We'd like to be sure he's in good shape before we release him. You fellows need to stay until we're sure you're in better shape than the average patient. You tend to get into more scrapes."

Mike guffawed and Ranger sighed.

"And Cal…is amazing," he shook his head in wonder. "That man has such a strong will. I think you can almost watch him heal if you stand there long enough. He's going to stay in CCU the rest of the day, but we'll probably move him to a regular room tomorrow. We want to watch him closely and make sure we're not getting ahead of ourselves. Suffice it to say, we believe he's going to be just fine."

Ranger sighed in relief and Natalie beamed.

"Now…how are you Stephanie?"

"I'm good," I nodded.

"This isn't too stressful for you and the baby?"

"This is my normal life," I shrugged.

He laughed, "I'll be back later for food. You kids are a hoot."

Ranger and I just looked at each other and grinned.

Ranger and I left shortly after that and headed for the parking garage.

"Where to now," he asked as we walked to the SUV.

"The office," I said seriously. "I need to talk to Mitch. I have some ideas. Also I need to see where you're putting Brian and the Judge. Where are Ella and Luis?"

"In their apartment at the new facility," he said quietly. "They had already been moved."

"Thank God," I sighed.

"Okay, we'll go there. Robert and George are meeting me at the old offices in a couple of hours. Do you want to go?"

"I don't think I can keep from strangling George. What's your plan?"

"Surveillance," he said seriously. "I want to see where George is so we can tail him. I'm going to try to get a GPS on his truck and triangulate his phone. That may be harder. It depends on if he has two phones. The government's phone will be hard to trace, but if he's got another one…"

"That sounds like a good plan. We just need to do it legally so he's down for good," I sighed.

"That's why I want the judge. I want to know who he's got doing it. I also want to know whether Robert is involved. I think I can read his body language enough to know. I think he's clear, but I need another opinion. Especially since I think we'll probably have to read him in before we take action. Also, I reviewed the video of their last visit. Robert wasn't comfortable with what George was saying. They've only been partnered in this for about five years. I think Robert knows something is wrong."

"We have to be sure before we bring him in," I sighed.

"Believe me I know," he sighed. "Your father is using his connections at the pentagon to get me George's military file."

"Really," I blinked.

"You're father is a badass Steph," he grinned at me.

"Well, how about that," I shook my head in wonder. "Send me everything you find including the video. I'll show it to Mitch. He's got to have some memory in his head somewhere that can be triggered."

"Good idea," he nodded as he pulled up to the gate. He flashed his key fob and the first gate opened. We drove a few hundred feet and stopped and the second gate. Ranger rolled down his window and smiled at Hector who was manning the second of the three sets of gates, "Anything going on Hector?"

"It's pretty quiet in there boss," he said seriously.

"Let's hope it stays that way," he nodded. "Pass the word…Cal's going to be fine."

Hector sagged in relief and grinned, "Thanks boss, we could use some good news today."

"I know that's right," he said and steered the SUV through the open gates.

"Make sure you stay inside. I am not expecting another assault on Rangeman, especially an air assault, but you stay inside."

I nodded.

"Okay," he pulled into the first section of the parking garage and waited for the diagnostic to be run. A few seconds later the doors opened and he drove into the garage and parked.

We walked through the tunnel to the building hand in hand.

"Where will you be," he asked as we entered the main office building.

"I'm going to find Mitch," I said seriously.

"Okay, be careful. Remember what I said," he leaned over to kiss me.

"I will. You be careful. I love you."

"Ditto," he smiled softly and punched the button for the elevator. I waved and walked over to the next tunnel and headed for the living quarters.

"Stephanie…," he called.

"Yea," I stopped and turned around.

"Are you okay with Brian being here?"

I smiled, "its fine. I love you."

He nodded and disappeared.

Ditto is close. Ditto is very close.