Copious amounts of thanks to Proudofyoubabe, who read through my first draft and made it better than it was by correcting my mistakes
As Stephanie fussed over the table setting, realigning silverware and positioning glasses just so, Ranger stood back in the hallway, unobserved and observing. This little burst of domesticity that Stephanie was displaying was oddly endearing and made his heart swell with love for her, his wife. Living a life he never wanted, Ranger had everything he needed.
Stepping forward, unable to refrain from touching Stephanie any longer, he wrapped her in a hug and kissed her until she was breathless and writhing against him. She pooled every ounce of restraint she had and pushed herself back from his now smiling face, shooting him her best 'Burg glare.
"Our guests will be here any minute, Carlos, and now I'm in a..a…well, a state!" She hissed, completely scandalized. Ranger tried to close the distance between them and said, "I've got just the thing for that…" while trying to recapture her lips.
"Nuh-uh, Mr. Sexpert, no more distractions! Now go mix the dressing for the salad, it's on the breakfast bar."
"Babe, you need to relax. It's just Lester and Hector; Hec will be gracious and Lester will spend the night trying to snoop through my apartment. Ella cooked everything so you don't have to worry about the food. Just try and enjoy yourself."
"I know, I know, I've just never hosted a dinner party and it's kind of nerve-wracking. There's a lot to remember."
Just then the chime over the door dinged, indicating the elevator was stopping on the seventh floor. "As long as you remember I'm picking up where I left off later, you could serve cereal and I'd be happy," Ranger flashed her all 200 watts and strode to the apartment door, opening it to reveal Hector and Vaughn.
They stepped into the apartment and after their greetings were out of the way, Vaughn handed Ranger a bottle of red. "The sommelier said it would go with almost anything, so I bought it since I wasn't sure what Stephanie was cooking."
Hector gave a barely discernable snort, causing Ranger to grin widely. "Steph is more comfortable around a microwave than a stovetop; she's warming the meal Ella prepared, arroz con pollo. This will go fine."
Another ding and another knock revealed Lester and Giana, the latter of whom took a moment to hug everyone in greeting, Ranger included. The two had struck up an unlikely friendship, much to Stephanie's amusement. Ranger's gratitude to Gia for keeping Stephanie safe when they were kidnapped, combined with the fact that his cousin was happier than he'd ever seen him, was a solid foundation for respect. Giana, likewise, understood that his stoicism was born of his years of military training and didn't take his silence around her personally. He was Lester's cousin, Hector's friend and Stephanie's husband, and that was a good enough reference to ensure her affection.
She took Vaughn's bottle of red in one hand and the bottle of white she'd brought in the other. Motioning for her brother to follow her, they made their way into the kitchen to see if Stephanie needed any help, leaving Ranger with Lester and Hector in the living room.
Settling himself on the couch and gesturing for Hector and Lester to take a seat opposite him, Ranger leveled his stare at Lester. "Did you go see Arturo?"
Hector's eyebrows twitched, thinking about shooting skyward – why would Lester be visiting Ranger's jeweler?
Les glanced nervously at Hector before clearing his throat and giving Ranger a meaningful look. Ranger only quirked an eyebrow at Lester, his message clear – Carlos Manoso was not going to keep relationship secrets, no way, no how.
Les leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and nodded. Looking at Hector, he said, "Yeah, I saw him. I contracted him to design an engagement ring, but he said it'll take a week or so to find the stone I wanted. So."
Hector sat back in stunned silence; Lester Santos was getting engaged? Willingly agreeing to marry a woman? Wow. Strangely, Hector had no trouble seeing him in the role of Giana's husband; he'd have thought he'd feel exactly the opposite. Still, one thing beared repeating…
Hector opened his mouth to speak to Lester and was interrupted by Stephanie's call of, "Dinner's ready!" The three men stood and turned to walk to dining room, Lester sandwiched between Ranger and Hector. He turned to face Hec and said, "In all seriousness, I love her. I'd never do anything to jeopardize this. And I know if I do, you'll make sure it's the last thing I do."
Hector gave a satisfied grunt and nod, and they continued on to the dining table.
Dinner was a hit, thanks in large part to Ella (whom everyone silently blessed for keeping Stephanie out of the kitchen), and Stephanie was just plating dessert while Giana poured coffee when Ranger's phone rang.
His blank face slammed down when he glanced at the caller ID and without a word, he stood and strode toward his office, shutting the door solidly behind him. The table sat in uncomfortable silence, everyone sharing worried glances. Stephanie stood, unsure of what to do, before making a move toward their bedroom.
"Beautiful." Lester's voice was soft and soothing, which only served to heighten her growing panic. "Give him a minute, alright? Just hang out here with us, let him finish his call."
She swiped at the tears that had gathered on her lashes, sucked in a breath an nodded shakily before returning to the dessert. Her movements were wooden and conversation was stilted, superficial; Lester and Hector shared a knowing glance while Giana and Vaughn only looked at their friend with concern.
A few more awkward moments passed before the office door opened and Ranger reappeared, blank face still firmly in place. His eyes tightened infinitesimally when they lighted on Stephanie, and he quickly pulled her from her chair and settled her onto his lap as he took her seat.
As she burrowed her fingers in his hair, anxious for answers, Lester's phone pierced the silence ominously. The look Ranger gave him was one of regret, and as Lester glanced at the ID, the reason became apparent – Washington. Without glancing at Giana, Lester took off in the direction of Ranger's office, shutting the door soundly behind himself.
"What's going on? Is everything alright?" Vaughn's concern pushed Stephanie over the edge and a sob escaped, her grip on her husband tightening as she buried her head in his neck.
Hector stood, reached across the table and gripped Ranger's hand. He locked gazes with his boss, his mentor, and his friend before saying, "Hasta que vuelvas, hermano, que la protegerá.", his voice full of righteous conviction. Ranger nodded tightly, acknowledging Hector's pledge, before Hector pulled Vaughn from his seat and ushered him toward the door, hushing any questions or protests until they were off the seventh floor.
Giana sat, stunned and confused, watching Ranger and Stephanie cling to each other. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she whispered, "Did someone die?"
Stephanie lifted her head from Ranger's chest and smiled sadly at her friend. "No. He got the call for a mission." She turned her head to her husband and cupped his face with her hand. "When do you leave?"
"0400." Came Lester's voice from behind them. Stephanie and Giana turned to look at him while Ranger only closed his eyes and dropped his chin.
"You…you have to go, too?" Gia asked in a horrified voice. She'd known this was a remote possibility, but Les had been fairly confident he wouldn't be called before his contract expired, and he'd assured her he had no intention of re-signing.
He could only nod at her, his death grip on his phone causing his knuckles to turn white, searching her face for some sign of anger or panic.
Gia only whiffled in a wet, shaky breath and said, "Then we'd best make the most of your time here," before standing and making her way to him. She kissed him sweetly, clutching him to her in heartbreaking desperation. He swallowed the sob that escaped her mouth, still fused to his, and tightened his grip on her. Now, more than ever, he was desperate and determined to return home; he finally had a home to return to, now that Giana loved him.
Releasing Lester, Gia surprised him again when she walked to a now standing Ranger and Stephanie. She wrapped Ranger in a tight hug and whispered, "Be safe, please," before kissing his cheek and offering him a watery smile. She squeezed Stephanie's hand before turning and taking Lester's hand, pulling him toward the door that led to the elevator. She shut it behind them, locking Stephanie and Ranger inside together. Lester led her to the elevator and hit the button for four, wordlessly running his hands up and down her trembling arms, his only thoughts of the woman in his arms and how she would cope with the next three months.
Hector rolled onto his back, panting and sweating profusely. Shit, he needed a some water. Maybe an IV.
Vaughn groaned beside him, equally depleted and sweaty, and Hector grinned and silently congratulated himself. Maybe, just maybe, he'd gotten lucky (no pun intended) and worn Vaughn out enough that he'd forget –
"Don't think I've forgotten our conversation just because you dicmatized me, Hec." Vaughn muttered into his pillow. Dammit.
With a sigh and a roll of his neck, Hec said, "What was the question? Or better yet, let me ask you a question; did you like it when I hooked your leg over my shoulder and – "
"Enough!" Vaughn yelped, flushing adorably. It was achingly reminiscent of the way Giana blushed and Hector felt a stab of pity for her.
"Hector." Vaughn's voice left no room for evasion, and Hec sighed again.
"There isn't a lot I can tell you." He began carefully. "Lester and Ranger have contractual military obligations. They call, the guys have to go."
"For how long?" Vaughn, Hector had often thought, would make a terrible poker player and his reaction confirmed that belief. The shock and glumness were clear in his voice and mirrored Hector's own feelings.
Hector rolled onto his side and spooned Vaughn's prone form. "I don't have any way of knowing. They might be able to give the girls a ballpark, but there's really no way to guess. They get the call, they go, period."
"That…sucks." He whispered as Hector stroked his back soothingly. "My poor sister…oh, God, they won't get killed or anything, right?" He sat bolt upright, alarmed at the direction his thoughts had taken him.
Hector slowly followed suit, staring sorrowfully into his lover's eyes. "There's always a chance, querido."
A lull, heavy with melancholy, blanketed the room as the two men laid in bed, drawing comfort from each other's presence. Finally, Vaughn breached the quiet.
"We'll have to be there for them, Hec. For Gia and Stephanie, while Lester and Ranger are gone. They'll need support." Throwing back his covers, he stood and abruptly began pacing, throwing the occasional worried glance at Hector. After a minute of nervous movement, he turned to face Hec. "I've been contemplating something and this has kind of tipped the scales; if you hate the idea, be honest with me?"
When Hector mutely nodded, Vaughn sat on the edge of the bed and gathered Hec's hands in his own. "I want to move to Trenton. I've wanted to be closer to you for awhile now, I just wasn't sure you'd want that because you've got your own life here, but now that my sister needs me…I love you, Hector, and I want to see you as much as I can, so the timing seems right. So…what do you think?" He gulped and waited nervously for Hector's reply.
Hec had no words for his elation, so…he showed Vaughn, for the next few hours, exactly what he thought of his plan.
As Hector was distracting Vaughn, two floors up, Lester was doing his best to distract Giana. He was under strict orders not to relay their target location, and the only timeframe he could give was 'less than six months'.
He'd loved her, over and over, and in the waning hours of their last night together for the foreseeable future. They now lay curled around each other. The silence was comfortable, soothing even, and as they lay entwined, Lester fought the tidal wave of sorrow he felt threatening to engulf him. He swallowed a few times, debating on how to bring up the only thing on his mind right now.
Giana's silvery soft voice broke his reverie. "I'll wait for you, Les. I'll be here when you get home. Yours, baby. All yours, only yours…always yours." She whispered the last part, never ceasing the gentle circles she traced on his chest with her finger tips.
She knew, knew exactly the fear that had been plaguing him – but then, he reflected, didn't she always know what he needed? She gave, tirelessly and unreservedly, everything he needed, every time he needed it. He tightened the hold he had on her, closing his eyes and allowing a single tear to escape.
"I love you, Giana. I'm going to marry you when I get home."
Her hand movement stopped, and he felt her breathing shift as she smiled against his chest. "I love you, Les. Every day."
Rolling her onto her back in one fluid movement, Lester pulled her arms over her head and pinned both her wrists with one hand, using the other to cup her face. She turned to nuzzle his palm, and her chin began to tremble.
"No, baby, no tears tonight. We're celebrating us tonight." He murmured, lowering his head to nip at her exposed throat. She gasped and arched into him, the urgency to connect with him overpowering the heartbreak of losing him, even if only temporarily.
"I want you," he whispered against her skin.
"I'm yours," she answered, turning her head to meet his lips.
As he made love to the great love of his life, Lester pressed every inch of flesh he could against her body until they were barely moving, only able to rock against each other. And as he swallowed her cries with his own mouth and kissed away the tears that seeped from under her closed eyes, he prayed that this salvation that he'd come to know in her arms would be his, always.
As dawn broke the sky in Trenton, New Jersey, Giana opened her eyes. It had been Lester's wish that she sleep here so that when he left, he could have the image of her in his bed burned into his brain, and she'd readily agreed.
Now, as she soaked his pillow with her tears on the fourth floor as Stephanie did the same on the seventh, they each wondered how they were going to come through the other side of this.