Disclaimer: Not mine, just playing. Rated M for later chapters.
Description: Slightly A/U (and maybe OOC) story of another way Steph and Ranger meet. What happens when you can't see the face of the one person that totally captivates your heart, body and soul.
a/n: I want to thank my wonderful Beta Ber, for putting up with my procrastination and being an encouraging friend. Thanks Babe!
Chapter 8
I couldn't explain it, but I knew the exact moment she had put the pendant on. It was as if she had snuggled into me at that moment. It was that familiar zing throughout my body. I smiled to myself. I had been worried what her reaction to my gifts would be. Would she like them? Would she want them? Was I coming on too strong too soon? A million similar questions flashed across my mind. I silently scolded myself at my thoughts when I felt that tingle again. She must be looking at it, touching it; she must be thinking about us. I couldn't help it smiled again.
The wait was killing me. I had already packed and repacked my duffel. Made sure everything was in order. Checked and rechecked my agenda for tomorrow. I ran out of things to do while I waited to hear from Julis, the host at Bella's. I decided to go for a run around the base. I could really lose myself when I ran, just me, myself, and I, alone with my thoughts. I rummaged through my bag and pulled out my running shorts and shoes. Shortly after that, I was hitting the pavement at a steady pace.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't keep my thoughts away from her, from our dreams. How amazing she always seemed to look. Classic. Beautiful. Sexy. How she seemed to glow in the fire light. How her scent shot a rush throughout my body every time I buried my face into her righteous curls. The feel of her in my arms when I held her. The silky touch of her skin under my fingers. The taste of her lips on mine.
"Dios..." I let slip as I slowed my run to a jog. This woman was all consuming. She consumed my waking thoughts and my sleeping desires, my heart....my soul. What I would give to know her. To truly know this incredible woman. To give her everything I had and more. It would take a miracleat this point. It wasn't practical. I've made choices in my life, that at this point in time, I just can't. Especially with her. She deserves so much more than what I can give her. And right now, that's not much. She deserves so much more. At this point, all I can offer her is my unconditional love from within a dream. From such a distance, with my life style, it's not an fesable option. Not a fair one at least.
I was pulled from my musings when my pocket vibrated.
"Yo." I answered flatly as I slowed to walk. It was Julis, letting me know that her and her friend had left Bella's. I glanced at my watch. It was nearly eleven o'clock. I was shocked at the time, I had run for over an hour and a half. Julis continued to go over the nights activities. Going into detail, the events of her dinner. From her shock at that there were gift's waiting for her, to her reaction to the gifts themselves as she opened them. He described the arrival of the food and even mused over the fact that she had half the bistro staring at her when she ate. Apparently she really enjoys food, Julis said she moaned in delight with every bite. This made my heart soar once again. I had picked out their dishes personally. The bistro was Cuban, and in turn, a part of my heritage and culture. The fact that she so thoroughly enjoyed her meal, one of my favorites, put a true smile on my face.
Julis continued on about the dinner, and told me that she did indeed leave a letter for me in return. He said that he sent it out with my personal courier the moment she left. I looked at my watch, that would mean it would arrive any time now. We talked for a few more minutes and before we ended the conversation, he added, "I also left you a little suprise in there, mi amigo." he finished with a laugh. I thanked him and returned the phone to my shorts.
I still had some time to kill, so I decided to hit the gym. A good workout was another way to clear my mind. Right. What was I thinking? Babe. My thoughts drifted back to my earlier conversation with Julis. She liked th pendant. Enough to put it on and wear it. He told me that she kept rereading my letter to her, and her smile never disappeared. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest at that thought. She was happy, and I was the reason for it.
I was gettng ready to hit the showers when Tank entered the locker room. He had a small manila envelope in his hands. He walked over to me and held it out without a word. I took it from him with a nod of thanks and he left.
Just holdng the envelope, my body hummed with her electric current. I could feel her. I sat on the bench next to me and opened the package. A tingle ran down my spine as I removed the contents and the most heavenly scent surrounded me. It smelled like her. I sat the envelope aside and looked at what I had. A folded letter and two pictures. I decided to read the letter first.
~~Mystery Man
Thank you for the wonderful dinner. It was Amazing. My friend and I enjoyed the experience immensely. I will cherish my gift. Your heart is safe, and will always be. I now have zero doubts that our dreams are a reality. I know you said you wouldn't be around, but just know, that I will always be waiting for you there.
In Dreams Always,
Stephanie~~
Stephanie. So that's my Babe's real name. I held the letter to my nose and inhaled deeply before setting it aside. I focused my attention to the two photos. One was a full shot of her head to toe. It seemed as if it were taken as she was coming in. It was of her and her friend, side by side, and it seemed as if they were talking. Both had huge smiles on their faces. I focused more on my Babe. She was stunning in a shimmery blue dress and heals that made my heart rate quicken. She was beyond beautiful.
I looked to the other picture next. I think my heart stopped for an instant. When it seems to start beating again, my thoughts caught up with my eyes. It was a picture of her from the shoulders up. Her curls laid loosely at her shoulders, framing her perfect face. Her make up was light and her smile could stop traffic. I noticed that she was wearing the pendant. It looked exquisite on her. Mi corazón es tuyo (My heart is yours.)
"And it is", I said to myself. I couldn't help but grin by looking at that picture. She was an angel. My Babe.
Mi Estefanía. I thought to myself. I couldn't help by revel in the way that sounded. I had the sudden urge to be with her. Here and now, but I knew I couldn't. I wanted to touch her, to feel her, to just be with her. But I couldn't. I can't. As I walked back to the barracks, my thoughts drifted from why I shouldn't delve in my dreams, or reality for that matter, to wanting to. I realized, that no matter how hard I had tried to keep her out of my thoughts today, I failed miserably. It was a bittersweet moment.
She hadn't strayed from my thoughts since I met her that night. And though I really need to discipline myself otherwise right now, I didn't want to. I couldn't help it. She truly was, all consuming. And she had consumed me whole. Heart, body and soul. I thought as I laid back in my bed. Those were my last thoughts before I drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 8 Word Count: 1361
