Beefcake for Charity CH. 4
A/N : As always, all canon characters belong to JE. I appreciate being able to just play with them.
RANGER POV
Stephanie shrugged and took a big bite of her food. "Mmmmmmm," she moaned closing her eyes as she savored the flavors. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat but couldn't take my eyes off of her. NO ONE enjoys their food the way my Babe does.
A few minutes passed and Babe looked as if she had something to say but was mulling over the best way to say it. "Whatever it is Babe, just say it. You don't have to censor yourself with me."
She bit her lower lip seeming to ponder that. "I appreciate that Ranger. I hope you know you can say anything to me as well."
"I do know Babe."
We were quiet for a few more minutes. I knew I could wait her out, so I finished eating my chicken stir fry. She was picking at her food now." You know the great thing about Chinese food?" I said.
"What's that?"
"It warms up well."
"What do you know about leftovers?" she snorted.
I took a moment to gather my thoughts before responding. "I'm no stranger to leftovers Babe. Did I do something to upset you?" I asked reaching over and lifting her chin so her eyes would meet mine.
"No. Sorry. Why don't we take our wine and sit on the couch? I have something I wanted to talk with you about," she said pushing her plate away and picking up her wine glass.
I grabbed the bottle and followed her to to the couch and sat as close to her as I could without actually touching her. I knew how to apply pressure. I knew what I wanted from this conversation and just hoped she wanted the same thing.
It was time to be patient so I sat quietly waiting for her to speak.
"I decided to make some changes," she said finally. I nodded for her to continue.
"I was talking to my niece Mary Alice, you remember her right?"
"The one who pretends she's a horse?"
"Yes. She asked me about my job and it got me thinking about my life."
I nodded and took her hand and ran my thumb back and forth over the top.
"Anyway, I realized I wasn't really living my life in a way I was proud of and that would set a good example for my nieces."
I felt my breath catch in anticipation. "Does this have anything to do with you and Morelli at Pinos today?"
She looked up at me startled. "Geez, you heard about that? Of course you did, you're Batman," she sighed. I felt he corners of my mouth lift in a half grin at the sudden appearance of my Babe peeking out from the guise of this new Stephanie.
"What happened?" I asked hoping to get her back on track because the suspense was killing me.
"Well, after my talk with Mary Alice I knew I needed to make changes. The biggest one was to end things with Morelli- to stop using him for a safety net because I was too afraid to go for what I want. I had to stop giving him hope that he and I would ever be more than we are right now."
"And what is that?" I asked.
"Friends, at least I hope we can be someday. Morelli has been a part of my life on and off since we were kids. But I don't love him like I should to be his girlfriend or more."
"More?"
"Wife. I can never be his wife."
"Ah, so you ended it?"
"Yes. I had to make the changes immediately. Once you realize what you want then wasting any more time just isn't an option!"
"I agree," I said feeling my pulse race hoping what she was about to say next would give me the chance I've been waiting for. I tried to make my tone sound calm and not reflect the desperation I was feeling that very moment. "What do you want Stephanie?" I asked leaning closer, my breath hitting her face, our lips just a whisper apart.
"You," she blurted out. "Before you give me the list of excuses of how your life doesn't lend itself to relationships; and your love doesn't come with a ring but a condom; hear me out."
My heart was pounding in my chest, I wanted to grab her and kiss her and tell her how wrong I was and how much I want her in my life but I knew she had to get this out and I NEEDED to hear it.
"I get it that I wasn't taking my life seriously," she said. "I am making some big changes, getting training and figuring out what I want and going after it. I know how dangerous your life is and I am willing to make concessions to be a part of it."
I could see the sincerity in her expression and if today was any indication of her seriousness, I believed her. I also had a young girl with a very timely question to thank later.
Stephanie steeled her shoulders, downed the last swallows of her wine and set the glass on the coffee table. This looked serious so I set my wine glass down too.
"I love you Ricardo Carlos Manoso and I want our someday!" she said and lunged forward pressing her lips to mine. I was stunned for a second as the words registered. The moment our lips touched it was like a dam had burst. My body responded immediately. My arms pulled her body even tighter to me. Our lips hungrily meeting until we had to pause to come up for air.
STEPHANIE POV
I did it. I told him and so far his response has been to kiss me senseless. A good response right? I should have pulled up my big girl panties a long time ago!
"You love me?" he asked quietly, no sign of his blank face. His dark eyes were full of emotion.
I nodded. He cupped my face in his hands and looked into my eyes. "We do this, there is no going back Babe. We are both all in. No running back to Morelli. No other guys."
"There is nothing to run back to and no other man I want."
He kissed me deeply and pulled me into a tight embrace as he leaned back on the couch, pulling me on top of him.
"You're it for me Babe. I love you so much!" His lips taking mine in an emotional kiss before lavishing my face with happy ones.
Feeling like all the pieces in my world finally fit, I couldn't help but smile. I climbed off of Ranger and stood. I reached my hand out to him. He took it and brought it to his lips placing a warm kiss, lightly on my knuckles.
Slowly, I led him to my bedroom. The room was glowing in candlelight- the battery operated kind- what am I crazy? With my luck real candles would have burned the place down by now.
I stopped near the bed and turned to face him. It had been way too long since I'd seen this kind of emotion in Ranger. In Carlos. "Let me love you Carlos," I whispered kissing the hollow of his throat. His hands brushed down my arms and rested on my hips. He kissed the top of my head.
A flurry of tenderly murmured Spanish fled his lips as I kissed up his neck and ran my hands up under his sweater over his finely sculpted abs and chest. Slowly between exploring kisses, his sweater was off and he was untying and unwrapping my top. His sharp intake of breath told me the new lingerie I bought was appreciated.
"Babe," he murmured softly running a finger over the lace and pressing a wet kiss over my heart. "You are so beautiful," he whispered before taking my lips with his. His warm hands pulled me closer and caressed down my back.
The candlelight flickered in his dark eyes as we spent the rest of the night and well into the morning loving and exploring one another.
I don't know what time it was when Ranger pulled himself away from me. I remember him dressed and leaning over me to kiss me. "I have to go Babe, there was a break in. I'll be back to pick this up later," he said and gave me a lingering kiss.
"Mmm, can't wait," I mumbled and curled up with his pillow and fell back asleep.
RANGER POV
What a difference a day can make. I hated leaving Stephanie in bed without me but I'll rejoin my Babe soon enough. MY BABE. No more cop, she's MINE. We'll have a few things to work through but she is mine now and I am never letting her go. I grinned at the thought as I pulled back into her parking lot. I raced up to her apartment and let myself in. The rat was running on his wheel. I decided to grab a bottle of water and dropped a couple grapes into his aquarium.
I checked my watch 0830. I'll just slip out of my clothes and crawl back in with Babe and she'll probably not even notice I was gone.
To say I was shocked to see her bed empty and made is an understatement. I pulled out my phone and pressed #1. Stephanie's phone went right to voice mail. It was then I noticed I had a text.
Went to work. See you later. I love you , Carlos!
I grinned. "Love you too Babe," I whispered and put my phone back in my pocket and headed for Rangeman.
When I arrived on the 5th floor there was a skeleton crew on duty which was weird. "Where is Tank? Where is everyone?" I demanded staring at Bones who was on monitors with the new guy Jose.
"Conference room 2, staff meeting," Bones replied.
"Staff meeting?!" I mumbled and made a b-line for the conference room.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I stepped inside to find Babe at the dry erase board up front. "Okay, let me see if I have this right," she said drawing a systems of arrows to indicate work flow and procedures.
"Yep, that's right, Steph," Tank said before looking up at me.
"Oh, Ranger," she said spotting me. "Anything you'd like to add?"
"Not a this time, " I said, "It looks like you've got it handled. Tank can I see you outside for a minute?"
"Sure thing. Cal, can you take her through any concerns and other areas we need to streamline?" he said and got up and followed me to my office.
"What the hell?" I said once he had closed the door and taken a seat across from my desk.
"I told you I hired someone," he said
"Yeah but you didn't mention that it was Stephanie!"
"Is that a problem?"
"No, but I feel a little out of the loop here."
"She came to me yesterday and asked if I thought she could be a productive member of the Rangeman team."
"Why didn't she ask me?"
"She said she didn't want you creating a job for her out of charity. She wanted to contribute and not be a drain on you or the men."
"You told her she wasn't a drain right?"
"Of course! I hired her for her specific talents. Right now she is familiarizing herself with the office to streamline it using her business degree. After that she has self-defense training with Santos and Hal. Then after lunch she meets Ram for gun training. She knows she'll have to carry. And she finishes out the day with Julio in sales."
"You should have told me."
"When would I have done that? You were obsessing all afternoon," he said.
I glared at him.
"You've been trying to get her to work here full-time for years. What is the problem? You said you trust my judgment when I said I hired someone."
"I do, I just.."
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth Rangeman. That little girl is putting her life in order. Judging by the glow she's been sporting this morning I'd say your dinner date went well. You must have finally listened to me and pulled your head out of your ass and told her how you feel?"
"What are you, Dr Phil?"
Tank barked with laughter. "No, but I'm glad to see you both happy. Don't mess this up! Now, if you'll excuse me I have a new hire to monitor. Hector hooked up a feed to your laptop so you can keep an eye on the gym and gun range and watch her in action."
If I wasn't so happy to have her in my work life and my personal life I'd knock that smirk off his face.
I waved him off and logged into my computer. I clicked on the gym monitor and saw Babe flip Santos over her shoulder and Hal smile and give her a high five. She was doing well and everyone seemed to be responding to her. This is all good.
STEPHANIE POV
After a few days, Rangeman was feeling like home. Ranger and I went on a couple official dates. We went out to dinner and dancing and talked about what we want from a relationship and what we need from each other. It has all been very grown up.
It's funny that one conversation can change the whole trajectory of your life. I know I was over due to grow up. I am just amazed at how easily it happened practically in one day. I went from a total screw up to taking my life seriously and becoming someone I could be proud of and my nieces could look up to. I wouldn't trade my new life with Ranger for anything!
Less than a week after the day that changed all our lives, Ranger got called on a government op. He had to go save the world from another really bad guy. Once this job was done, so was his contract. He assured me he was not renewing because he wanted a life with me and Julie. I have to admit, that made me feel pretty special and loved.
This time while he was gone, I'd have all the Merry Men to keep me busy and I could feel like I was helping Ranger by contributing to his business instead of breaking his men.
The months he was gone to God knows where, were tough, but I feel like I really grew as a person. I like the person looking back at me in the mirror and I knew I'd be a better partner to Carlos when he returned.
At work I found my niche. I run the occasional search, help the guys look at the information and make a plan for apprehension and the rest of the time Julio and I have been bringing in all sorts of clients. Rangeman has been growing. Tank says I was the best hire he ever made. He is a great boss and the appreciative hugs are nice too!
When Ranger returned almost 4 months later, looking worse for wear, Tank gave me the week off with the sole condition that I spend it taking care of our guy and nurse him back to health. I was grateful for the time alone with Ranger. We went to a safe house on the beach. Ella stocked us up on food and Bobby came by a couple times to treat his wounds. I made sure he relaxed and found his happy again.
It wasn't long before he was back to his old self, but better because he no longer had a contract hanging over his head and he was free to start a new life. He could concentrate on his future.
We find it hard to be apart now that we were together, so if he needs to be gone more than a couple days I go with him. I check in with the different branches and see how they run things and help out where I can.
Ranger is due back tonight from Miami and I can hardly contain my excitement. Tank already cleared our schedules. Ella is preparing Carlos' favorite dishes and I picked up a little something from Victoria's Secret for his homecoming.
A/N: Thanks to all the people who continue to read and leave comments. I appreciate all the support! Special thanks to Selene Aduial for the wine tip!
We should be at a point in this story to circle back to the original idea of Rangemen helping kids with Beefcake for Charity. Thanks for your patience I was veered off in a different direction for a while. Please leave me a note and let me know what you think. :)