02Layers of Ranger

Usual disclaimer, I own nothing. I write for fun and relaxation.

Ranger just came to talk.

Rangers POV

"As I was saying, Steph makes me want to be a better man. I know I am good at my job and I do have a strong moral code; even if some of my thoughts on the legal areas are grey. I do what has to be done to keep the innocent safe.

That's how I see my job whether it is as a BEA or as a government contractor. I set a goal for the job and seldom waver.

My core team and I feel the same. We work like a well oiled machine. We know what each other think and we know in any given situation what the other will do. That's how we stay alive. There are people that don't understand this. They think we are only thugs and criminals who are ready to break the law. On the contrary, we work very hard to keep every one of our men on the right side of the law. It takes too much time to fight legal battles that are frivolous. We will fight them if needed.

I work and support the top members of the legal system and governor's office to protect our business and professional interest. The men and I work behind the scenes to help the community and multiple charities. I won't mention them because we prefer our work to be behind the scenes and anonymous.

Most of the men that work for me are ex-military and special forces, there are a few who are from other law enforcement agencies and even fewer who were young gang members ready for a hand to get out of that world. I pride myself in helping these kids. I was one of them once until my grandmother took me in and changed my young life.

She taught me a lot in my middle teen years. Grandma tolerated no bull from me. She watched me and helped me. Whether it was school or my friends she always knew what was happening. When I fell in with the wrong crowd she pulled me out. She taught me what love should be with the help of grandfather.

They both taught me that love was without cost, that love was gentle and given freely. They always made me feel, even with my mistakes, their love was unconditional.

They ingrained in me how a man should treat a woman. Never abuse with words or hands. Treat a woman with respect and help her to live her life. Never dictate to her and no matter how upset I was never, never hit a woman. I can say to this day I never have. In war I have killed women, but I have never hit one. That may seem strange to some but maybe it is one of the grey areas.

My core team as I said is all ex-Rangers and Seals that I have worked closely with.

Steph came into the mix as an inexperienced BEA just breaking into the job. A friend that I owed a favor to asked if I could mentor her. I have to say I did my best to scare her off. I went to our meeting dressed as a street thug with all the black and leather, diamond ear studs and gold chains. Maybe if I had a couple of gold teeth it might have worked. The clothes and the street slang didn't seem to bother her.

She walked into the diner, shook my hand, introduced herself, and sat down. There might have been a momentary glimmer of fear in her eyes, but that was all. After she sat down she was all business. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I was amazed.

I guess if you looked at the next three years you would say we were off and never looked back. It was just like the Kentucky Derby. She didn't want to just come to the Kentucky Derby to say I was in the race. She came to win the race and start a new life. The girl has spirit and tenacity. She was determined to win this challenge.

So like I said we were off. I gave some information and instruction about what her job was. I helped her pick equipment. I was a little surprised when she was afraid of guns. Did she think she would pick up criminals with a water pistol?

I didn't know at the time that was about how she planned it. She didn't want to use force and planned to talk them in.

We had a long day where I helped her pick a gun that was light and fit her grip. Then I took her to the gun range where we worked on her aim and stance.

Standing behind her, I guided her legs to a proper stance with my hands. Then I leaned close to her back to position her arms in the proper aim. Her curly brown hair tickled my cheek and smelled of strawberries. I was overtaken by her long legs, the beauty of her body, her smell and the softness of her skin. With a slight groan, I stepped back and told her to squeeze the trigger slowly.

She finished the six rounds and I told her to place the gun on the table. I pulled the target in and she had hit the paper with four of the rounds. Not many people could do this the first time they fired a gun. I was very impressed and told her so.

She was so excited she jumped and wrapped her arms around me before I could move. Not being a touchy feely person I patted her with one arm before stepping back. Not before I inhaled more of her scent.

I wanted to touch her again but I breathed deeply and controlled myself. What was I thinking, this could easily get complicated? Stick with the job soldier.

The next few weeks I saw Steph intermittently, just coffee or at the bonds office. She was working on a big case and I was a little concerned. She had grabbed onto it like a dog with a bone. She looked beautiful smiling her cheeks flushed enjoying her job.

Through the following months, we worked more together. I came to her rescue many times. I loaned her cars when she had disasters. She worked at my office and got to know my men.

Steph is a joy to have around and all the men loved her at least a little but the core team had adopted her as their little sister. They watched over her when I was gone and protected her. If I was in the wind they rescued her and kept me posted with her exploits.

Some missions seeing Steph was the only thing that gave me the strength to get out. She slowly became the light at the end of the tunnel. She was becoming like the air I breathe.

The last few months I have realized she is the most important thing in the world to me. I can no longer see my future without Steph in it.

They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. Today I plan to do just that. Today is the start of Operation Make Babe Mine.

The guys will love it. My family will accept it. Her mother will hate it. Joe will have a stroke

Joe is her on and off again boyfriend. I have sent Babe back to him before, because I thought he could give her what I couldn't, a family and a home. He gave her beer, pizza and a hockey game mixed in with some sex.

At the time I didn't think I knew how to love, but that was no way to have a relationship with a lady.

Joe and Steph broke up three months ago. She has been alone since then.

Now that I am ready to try love and romance again, I hope I am not too late to win my Babe's heart.

I hit speed dial 1 on my cell phone, "Babe will you do me the honor of having dinner with me Friday night?"

Word count 1300

1 prompt Babe squad

1 prompt Perfectly plum