Title: The Dating Game - Alternate Ending

Author: Robin

Disclaimer: I don't own them, I just like to dream.

Rating: R

A/N: This is an alternative ending to The Dating Game which picks up from the original story following Chapter 17. Lester just wouldn't leave me alone until I wrote the ending his way. Die-hard Babes may be happier sticking with the original ending... just a warning. This alternate ending will be the foundation for a sequel.

Alternate Ending: Chapter 19

I stopped by my desk when we arrived back at the office to find it smothered in search requests. Note to self: never take time off again. The ride home had been rather uneventful. The guys had discussed business while I stared out the window, rehearsing what I was going to say to Lester and the rest of the Merry Men. Tank had informed me that the guys wanted to meet up at lunch for me to tell them what I'd decided. There was a little ball of dread in my stomach, but I was excited at the same time. Frankly, I was looking forward to getting it over with, but still part of me wanted to escape out the back door. Not really an option in a building where my every move was monitored.

Lunch ended up being carry-out for the seven of us in the conference room. Tank and I walked in after everyone else was already there. He guided me to a seat between Vince and Bobby and I smiled at all the guys. They really were the sweetest mercenaries and I was a lucky girl to work with them. I thought it was funny how a little over a week ago I was so intimidated by these guys and now that I'd gotten to know them I was mostly worried that I would hurt them with my decision.

After lunch had been polished off, I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. I looked around at all of them, trying to figure out what to say. "I didn't realize it would be this hard, guys. It was wonderful spending time with each of you and I hate that I have to choose. But it wouldn't be fair to the world if I kept you all for myself."

Bobby put his arm around me, hugged me to his side and said, "We wouldn't make you choose, Sexy, but I don't think we'd really share all that well. No matter what happens, we'll respect your decision."

"We all care about you, Steph," Vince said from my other side. "Even when you choose me, the rest of the guys will get over it." He winked and I laughed. The other guys responded with a chorus of 'Yeah, rights' and 'Dream ons.'

Tank said, "You wish, she's picking me," then he gave me a wicked grin.

"Darlin', tell 'em I'm the one," Woody drawled. "You know the rest of these jokers can't handle your granny."

Hal just smiled, the shy guy not having enough self-confidence to even joke that I'd pick him.

Lester was uncharacteristically quiet and had been for the entire lunch. I met his eyes with mine, and I worried for a moment that he'd changed his mind in the day I'd been away. I smiled tentatively at him and he returned it, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

I cleared my throat and said, "Well, I had a great time getting to know all of you and I'm lucky to count you as friends. I have decided that I'd like to continue dating one of you." I looked around at all of them once more and ended back on Lester.

I held his eyes as I said, "I choose Lester… that is if he's interested."

While I watched, a smile bloomed on Lester's face that could only be described as blinding. As gracious as the runners-up to Miss America, each of the other guys turned to clap him on his back as Lester made his way around the table to my side.

"Oh, you bet I'm interested, Sweetheart," he said and then he swept me into his arms and kissed me. Not just any kiss, either. This was the kind of kiss that suggested naughty, naked things if only there wasn't an audience. Then he deepened the kiss and all thoughts of the other Merry Men flew right out of my head. I wrapped my arms around his neck and curled my fingers into his collar holding him to me as he dipped me back, one arm holding me securely around my waist, his other hand supporting my head, fingers entwined in my hair. Hoots and hollers filled the air and I felt a blush from the roots of my hair to the tips of my toes.

"Wow," I breathed when he set me on my feet, our lips still lingering.

"Wow is right, Sweetheart," Lester whispered against my lips. "There's a lot more where that came from, too."

"I can hardly wait," I murmured in response then glanced over his shoulder, "for when there aren't any spectators."

Lester's eyes twinkled as he stepped away. The rest of the guys swooped in, each hugging me in turn before filing out of the conference room to return to work.

Finally, just Lester and I remained and I suddenly felt shy. Lester hooked his fingers in the belt loops on my jeans and pulled me to him. He kissed me again, this time softly, sweetly, his hands resting lightly on my hips, mine on his chest. When our lips parted, I couldn't help the goofy smile on my lips. I sighed, "Hmmm, yummy. Rather tame in comparison, though, Mr. Santos."

He chuckled, "I'm sure we still have an audience in the command center. I think we've provided enough entertainment for one day. Plus, another kiss like that and I won't be able to control myself, cameras be damned."

"Me either," I agreed sassily, making both of us laugh. Another kiss like that and we'd probably melt the cameras.

His laughter trailed off as he looked down at me tenderly and brushed his thumb over my lips. This was the biggest difference between Lester and Ranger. When I looked into Lester's eyes, I saw everything he was thinking. The love I saw shining there completely humbled me.

"You are so beautiful," he said softly his eyes taking in every detail of my face.

I smiled, feeling a little self-conscious, "You know, you never call me that anymore. I thought you'd finally figured out I'm pretty ordinary."

Lester leaned in and kissed my nose. "You are anything but ordinary, Sweetheart, but in my life I've called a lot of women Beautiful…" He looked away, embarrassment coloring his cheeks, "…from women I've dated in the past to the check-out girl at the grocery store to phone operators. You're different… special. You're the only woman I can think about." He looked back at me, his eyes holding mine, his voice barely a whisper, "There's only you. And I knew it the night of our date, the moment you took my hand. I can't explain it. But, you're the one."

I was overwhelmed, speechless, tears gathering at the corners of my eyes. I raised myself up on my tiptoes, sliding my hands along his broad shoulders and I claimed his lips with mine. I acknowledged his confession with my kiss, for I couldn't find the words to do it justice.

Lester's hands slid behind my back, fingers laced together, and he pulled me flush against his chest, returning the kiss tenderly. He raised his head from mine after a few moments, looked down at me, eyes serious and asked quietly, "Are you sure about this, Sweetheart?"

I nodded and thrust the last lingering doubts out of my mind. "Yes, I am. You? You seemed a little surprised."

"I was. I thought… I wasn't sure..." he hesitated, eyes closed as he searched for words. "I thought maybe you still were hung up on Ranger and you'd need more time. I wasn't sure what you wanted, but I didn't expect this."

"I can make you wait if you prefer," I said, pulling back in his arms slightly to grin up at him.

"No, no, no," he said quickly, a smile on his lips, "I don't want to wait. I just don't think I understand how we got here."

I hesitated, knowing I couldn't explain everything I had learned past twenty-four hours. After all, Ranger's marriage was still real to the outside world. Finally, I said, "Well, Tank kidnapped me and Ranger yesterday, to help us… clear the air." Lester's eyebrows rose sharply. "We talked and he explained some things. And I told him what I needed to say. And you know what?" He shook his head silently. "It actually helped me figure out that I want to spend more time with you and see where this goes with us."

"Remind me to thank Tank," he said, his warm green eyes smiling down at me. He tucked my head against his chest, resting his chin on my curly head. After several moments of simply holding each other he asked, "So where do you think this is going to go?"

I listened to the rush of his heartbeat underneath my ear, felt my own flutter in my chest and said, "I'm not sure. But, I can't wait to find out."

Alternate Ending: Epilogue

I idly swirled the amber liquid in my glass, staring into it as if it held the answers to my problems. Maybe it did. I'm not usually much of a drinker, and never during the workday, but I decided to make an exception today. So when I'd gotten to the privacy of my office, I pulled out the good bottle of scotch I kept for entertaining the more hoity-toity potential clients and poured myself a triple.

I knew I shouldn't, for a whole host of reasons, but I couldn't keep myself from bringing the conference room camera up on my monitor. The little knot of misery that had formed in my stomach yesterday, tightened, grew and threatened to overwhelm me when I stared at the images on the screen.

I had screwed up big time. I wasn't a guy who was used to making mistakes. Sounded egotistical, I know, but that wasn't it. If I made mistakes in my line of work, I'd have been dead long ago. It's not that I was perfect, just that I was good, I paid attention, I acted on reason, not emotion and I never let fear rule me.

Almost never.

Except for when I ran away from Stephanie. I had been afraid of my feelings and hers and I reacted emotionally. I ran. Normally, I never ran, but she scared the hell out of me. Then, when I'd finally sorted out my feelings, I'd screwed up again by doing exactly what I normally do. I kept my distance, physically and emotionally. I used it as a shield to keep from experiencing that fear again.

I was an idiot and now that I realized it, I was too late.

I focused on the small screen again and watched as Lester leaned Stephanie back and kissed her like he was trying to remove her tonsils. My hand clenched on the glass. I drained it and then set it down deliberately so I wouldn't give into the urge to hurl it against the wall.

Lester was publicly staking his claim, and I wanted to kill him for touching what was mine. Only she wasn't mine. She really never had been and at it looked like she may never ever be mine. I turned away from the screen in disgust to stare unseeingly out the windows at the street below. However, I was unable to block out the cheering which sounded in stereo as I heard it from the speakers in my office and from the control room outside my door.

I could hardly believe this was my life. How had I lost control?

There was a soft knock on my door before it opened. I didn't bother to look up. I knew it was Tank. Only he would have the balls to walk in without an invitation.

"Ranger, man… you okay?" Tank asked hesitantly.

I turned around and walked to my desk. I stared at the screen as Lester kissed her once again, this time without a live audience and without trying to crawl down her throat. The look on his face said it all. He was in love. Or at least he thought he was.

"Shit," I said running a hand through my unbound hair. " Santos really cares about her doesn't he?"

"It's hard to believe, but yeah, I think he does."

"You think I should give her up." It was a statement, not a question, but Tank considered his answer nonetheless.

"If you love her, like I think you do, you'll do whatever it takes to make her happy, man," he said.

I heard what Tank was saying, it sounded logical, but I shook my head anyway. I didn't recognize my own voice, rough with emotion, when I said, "I love her. I gave up on her before and look what happened. I won't do it again. If I do…" I paused, forcing myself to stare at the image of Stephanie wrapped in Lester's embrace. I continued, "If I do, I never deserved her."

"Be careful," Tank said. "You put too much pressure on her and you'll get the opposite of what you're after. I always have your back, Ranger, but I'm giving you fair warning. I won't stand by and let you hurt her."

I nodded in silent acknowledgement, eyes still glued to the screen. I almost smiled as I thought of how Stephanie had managed to charm all of my men. I couldn't help but be proud.

I continued to stare silently at the monitor until Tank finally left my office. The camera angle didn't give me a very good view of Steph's face, but she didn't seem to be resisting Lester's kisses. She seemed to be enjoying herself. I blew out a sigh. This could get complicated.

She'd told me that I could try to make it up to her even as she moved on with her life. From what I could see, she wasn't wasting any time before moving on. I saw the smile that graced her lips as she pressed her cheek to Lester's chest. She did seem happy.

Still, I knew. I loved this woman and she loved me whether she wanted to admit it or not. I could walk away or I could fight. I'd run once. Not this time.

This time I wasn't going to give up that easily.

The end…