After I finished up the last chapter for 'Missing' I realized that although the whole Steph experience was thoroughly done, there were still some loose ends in terms of their (S&R) relationship. So, I decided a sequel was called for:)
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE. I'm just a broke Undergrad.
A rush of movement off to my right was followed by the heavy sounds of running footsteps. It was the only warning that preceded the attack.
"Santos!" I shouted in warning.
He turned to face me, green eyes going wide at whatever he saw behind me. "Run!" Lester shouted back, waving at me to move East.
There was a loud explosion and everything went black.
"Ugh." I groaned, feeling a pulsing headache coming on. I rubbed at my temples as I walked towards the stairwell. I felt woozy, like I was walking through a haze. I don't remember ever feeling this disoriented. For some unknown reason the door to the stairs was open, so I stumbled up the steps before it even occurred to me that I could ride up in the elevator.
It was odd that even in my tired state I was able to make it up to seven so quickly, but I didn't question how I managed to make it to the door of the penthouse. Thankfully for me, Ella opened the front door just then. I gave her a customary greeting as she wheeled out the cart she uses to deliver food. I moved inside the apartment, frowning at her silence. It's so unlike Ella not to respond to my greeting, but I figured she was busy. We all have our days, I guess.
Dragging myself to the bedroom wasn't difficult. All I wanted to do was strip out of my dirty clothes, take a nice hot shower and slip under the sheets. With luck, Babe will still be in bed. And if she's not, well, I can always use my secret weapons to convince her to join me.
"Babe." I couldn't contain a soft smile when I found Babe sound asleep. Sunlight was spilling in through the bedroom drapes, illuminating her still form in small slivers of light. Babe's curly hair was splayed on the pillows, her face partially buried under the covers. She looked soft and sweet, making me reconsider my previous plan of going to sleep.
The loud sound of a phone ringing startled her awake. Even in her groggy state Babe was quick to reach for the phone.
"Lo?" She greeted the caller, stifling a yawn. "Right now?" She sat up in bed, nodding at whoever was on the other end of the line despite the fact that they couldn't see her through the phone. "No, I'll be right down." Stephanie hung up and jumping out of bed with an agility I envied at the moment.
"Babe?" I sat on the bed, tracking her movements as she shimmied into a pair of jeans and threw a hooded sweatshirt over her head. "Stephanie?" I called out again when she disappeared into the bathroom. Moments later she joined me again, sitting down next to me on the bed to stuff her feet into her sneakers. "What's going on?" I demanded. Ignoring me, Babe stood and exited the bedroom.
I trailed behind her as she dashed out of the apartment and into the elevator. "Why are you ignoring me?" I wanted to know. When she didn't reply, I blew out a sigh. "Stephanie, Babe…" I murmured near her ear, hoping it did the trick and softened her up. She shivered, but didn't otherwise acknowledge my presence.
The elevator doors opened and we unloaded on the fifth floor. Babe walked briskly, taking the lead to Tank's office.
"Little Girl…" Tank stood when she burst into his office.
"Don't you 'little girl' me." Babe demanded to know the details.
"What the hell's going on here?" I barked out, but neither of them acknowledged me. Que diablos? Something was definitely going on here and I was determined to find out what.
"Communication with the unit was lost." My second in command said.
"When?" Babe demanded, piercing him with an icy fiery gaze.
"A few hours ago." He was quick to add that the information reached his ears ten minutes ago.
"Ranger?"
"Yes, Babe?" I moved to stand by her side, but she didn't turn to face me.
Tank shook his head. "There was an explosion." He hesitated, unsure if he should share more. She glared at him, forcing him to continue. "A rescue team was sent in." Tank's tone softened. "Although no bodies have been found yet,…"
"No!" Babe shook her head vigorously. "They have to be okay." A strangled sob escaped her. "Ranger can't dead." Babe started pacing, chanting over and over how it wasn't possible for me to be gone.
"Babe." This was all very confusing. But if it were possible for my heart to break, it would. She didn't deserve this pain.
"No, no, no…" One moment she was angrily wiping away tears and the next she fainted.
"Stephanie!" Both Tank and I shouted at the same time, but he was able to do something about it. His massive frame towered over her, catching her before her limp form fell on the carpeted floor. "Fuck." He adjusted his hold in order to scoop her up and carry her out of his office.
I followed him down two flights of stairs and towards the exam room.
"Bobby!" I shouted before I remembered no one could hear me. Tank shouted for Bobby's help and this time there was a response.
Bobby rushed out of a doorway across the hall from the exam room. "What happened?" He questioned, rushing us inside the exam room.
Tank settled Babe on the examination table, quickly moving aside to let Bobby take a look. "Santos and Ranger were KIA."
"BNR?" Bobby asked while simultaneously shining a light in Babe's eyes. Tank confirmed Bobby's suspicion, saying he didn't have a chance to completely fill Babe in.
"Oh, no." I murmured, moving to stand by Babe's feet. Killed in action. Body not recovered. "Shit." It's going to be devastating news for her. And the image of a teary Babe really did break my heart. She deserves to be happy.
"That's so fucking unfortunate and unfair." Bobby shook his head angrily as he reached for the closest cabinet. "And really bad timing."
"What are you talking about?" Tank inquired.
"Bomber's pregnant." Bobby shot over his shoulder.
My attention snapped back to Babe's pale face. A baby? She's going to have a baby? Our baby?!