Chapter 8

Beth is found. Time to put lives back together.

"Hector, where is Stephanie?" Bobby asked in Spanish.

Hector was relieved Bobby wanted to talk in Spanish, usually he tried to force more English from Hector. "Let's talk quietly." He moved Bobby down the hall. Her office called. Beth is in Japan, maybe buried in the earthquake rubble. Her hotel collapsed. Estafania is needed in Florida."

Bobby groaned. He knew the implications it meant for Tank.

"Bobby, I think we need to keep this quiet from Tank for a while until we know more."

"It just gets better and better," Bobby said in English.

Tank came out of Ranger's room, "He's asleep now. He's very confused and wants to talk to Stephanie again."

Bobby shook his head it wouldn't happen, "Emergency in Florida, she had to head back."

"Is it Beth?" Tank asked with alarm and he pulled his cell phone from his pocket.

"Earthquake in Japan and Beth is in Japan," Hector said.

"No communications?" Tank asked.

"Nada," Hector answered. "Some areas have no outside communications."

Damn

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I tried to remain calm on the way back to Florida. If Beth is fine, she will contact us. If she is injured, she will contact us…..or someone will. The third option… we'd just have to wait. In the meantime the business must carry on. I am not an architect, but Antonio is and I've learned a lot. I may not be creative, but given an assignment to begin cost take offs, I'm getting better.

I was deluged with work when I went into the office. This kept me thinking too much about Ranger and Beth. I was in my zone when Antonio walked up, "Send flowers."

I jumped up, "NO! She's not dead!"

He hadn't expected my outburst. "Send flowers to Ranger." He turned around and went back to his office.

Of course he was right and I quickly ordered 2 dozen red roses delivered to his hospital room. It took me forever to come up with a message for the card. "I've not forgotten you. I did not run away. Wish I could be there kissing your lips." It was a little mushy, but it was exactly what I felt. I giggled thinking who would read the card to him….Tank, Lester, Bobby?

Each day we hadn't heard from Beth, we grew more concerned. Finally a note came through on my cell phone. I knew who it was from, "Found, injured. Told Tank." Bless Hector, but HOW injured? .

Antonio, she's alive! I called.

He came running out from his office, "How did you find out?"

"Hector just texted me, see." I handed him my phone.

"HOW injured?," he gasped.

"My words exactly."

He took a big breath and let it out slowly, "I hope he didn't use the Navy's communications again," he said with a smile.

"No he probably hacked the Japanese government and hospital systems," I said kiddingly but knowing it was probably something like that.

The next day we received confirmation from Red Cross and Japanese government she was injured and in the hospital. A few hours later, she called, "I don't know when they will release me, but then I'll have to get a flight home. It may be a while. Don't worry; I'll be there when I get there."

Two days later my guardian angel texted me again, "B&T return Newark Mon"

"I knew it, I knew, I knew it" I said loudly.

Antonio stuck his head out of his office again. I handed him my phone. He momentarily looked confused. "I knew Tank would go over and personally dig her out," I laughed.

Antonio mentally flashed-Godzilla returns to Japan. "Maybe your man, Ranger, will take the hint and come to you," he winked. "If not, you still have Hector."

I could only dream Ranger would come down. "No, Hector is gay, tattooed and pierced. I can't wait for Grace to meet him," I laughed. Then my mind quickly flashed to Ranger. I haven't heard from him. It was time for more flowers. "May these roses show my passion for you. I miss you." Yeah, that ought to be another blush inducing card for Bobby to read to him.

Beth's shoulder was broken by falling debris as were several ribs. There was possible internal injuries that had to be monitored. The rest of her body was bruised and torn. After a couple of days in the hospital she was thinking she might manage the flight back to the US alone. It probably would be easier to travel in short bursts with time to lay over a day or two; first Hawaii, then West Coast and a third and final leg to Florida.

She was still contemplating her options when Tank walked into her hospital room. Beth stared, "Tank?"

"I thought you'd need some help getting home."

"You flew to Tokyo to help me get home?"

He shrugged like it was no big deal. "I wanted to make sure you were safe and OK."

She was high on pain meds so her emotions were raw, she started crying, "You are a gentleman, Tank, a very special gentle man. I am not worthy of you."

"Hush," he said as he wiped her tears with his thumbs. Then he gently kissed her.

The tickets read Tokyo to Newark via Seattle, but it was apparent before they got to Seattle she was very uncomfortable and would need a layover for a few days. The airline was accommodating but did not have two first class tickets for several days.

Beth didn't argue, she had enough pain pills, but only the clothes on her back. Tank volunteered to clothes shop for her. The hotel desk clerk directed him to South Center mall in Tukwila and Tank walked into the women's department at Macy's. The sales staff instantly recognized Tank's "what now" expression and came to his rescue. At least he wrote down sizes before he came. The tops and pants or skirts were easy, it was the underwear that had him buffaloed. He didn't realize there the multitude of styles. The sales staff understood Beth was injured and selected the most comfortable, not the sexiest apparel. Tank didn't quit blushing until Beth told him what a wonderful job he had done.

When her wheel chair rolled up to the airline gate at SeaTac Beth was confused, "Tank, this isn't the flight home. This flight is going to Newark."

"Looks like those meds aren't keeping you loopy, pretty one," He said.

"Why Newark Tank?"

"Mostly for your company," he said as he took her hand and kissed it, "Also I'd like you to talk to Ranger."

"He's back?!"

"He's seriously injured. Stephanie came up but Antonio needed her back in Florida when you went missing."

When Beth and Tank reached Newark late Thursday evening, she called Antonio then Stephanie.

"Steph, I'm in Newark for several days to rest before coming south."

"That's probably not the only reason, Stephanie said conspiratorially."

"Would you believe me if I said I wanted another Shorty's pizza?"

"Actually I would," Stephanie chuckled, "But the real reason is probably your traveling companion."

"Yeah, he's pretty special. Also, he's asked me to speak to Ranger. I need to know your mind now, where are you?"

"Beth, I love him and always will, but I cannot live with him if he continues with his missions. He can not allow himself to be totally committed to me; it would be a distraction and might get him killed. Causing his death is one burden I do not wish to carry.

He thinks of himself dark and unlovable, but it's just the opposite. He is full of light; light that has carried me through terrible times, light for his daughter, Julie; light for his men and family. Beth, you've got a heck of a kick, maybe you can dislodge his head from his ass so he can see the light himself."

There was a long pause and some mumbling, then "Babe."

I gasped, "Carlos?" I was confused. Was he listening? Is Beth sitting next to him? Suddenly I was pissed, I was set up. Or was I? Did Beth know me well enough to know I would speak clearly without getting all teary? Did Ranger need to hear to new Stephanie, the one that didn't fall under pressure?

"Stephanie," I heard Beth on the line. "It's still hard for him to talk, give him time. Let him sort it out. I'll be home in a few days."