Author's note: Sorry for short chapters. They just seemed to end well there, so that where I cut them off. The entire thing is written and just needs to be typed and posted. Thanks for the reviews, they really make my day! Oh and anything you recognize is JE's, forgot to put that earlier. Happy reading!
The next morning, we awoke to the alarm. I resented it; it forced us to be apart, for me to leave the safety of Ranger's arms. Dying made me realize how much I truly love him. I, the Queen of Denial, never acknowledged the strength, the force, of my bond with him. My only wish was that my love was not unrequited; the he loved me as much as I loved him. I longed to tell him, but I knew that this was not the time, nor the place. I would have to wait until our situation wasn't so dire. I couldn't afford to distance myself from him at this point in my life, nor could I distract him. That could cost both of us our lives.
We showered and dressed, then ate the breakfast that Ella left. Not even she knew that I was in fact alive. She would find out along with the rest of Rangeman. Diesel and Joe had at first argued against Ranger on the issue of telling the guys, saying that the fewer people who knew the better. They had a point, but it was decided that I could be kept safer if we had the help of the Merry Men. An added bonus was that one of the men, Bobby, was a medic. If I was hurt, which seemed likely with my track record, we wouldn't have to deal with the awkward questions at the hospital.
An hour later, everyone was gathered in the gym by the sparring mats, the only place large enough to hold all of Rangeman. I had slid into a seat engulfed by shadow, ensuring no one would see me until the right moment. I looked across the crowd, studying their faces. Some were solemn. These were the faces of the ones who knew me well. This group included Tank, Bobby, Lester, and Hal, among others. The rest looked down right scared. These were mainly the new recruits. They all knew what had occurred yesterday- was it only yesterday? –and feared Ranger's wrath. If they had boots on, they would be quaking in them.
Suddenly, everyone's attention was directed towards the front of the room and all talking ceased. Ranger had stepped up onto the makeshift platform. He had on his 'blankface' as I liked to call it. Some might have said he was utterly calm in that moment, but I could call his bluff. His eyes showed anger, as they would until this ordeal was over, but mainly I could see amusement. He was going to enjoy this little show.
The story was told again, stopping after I died in the hospital. He then showed a video of my fight with Cezar. Considering I wasn't aware of these cameras, this threw me for a moment. At one time, this invasion of privacy would have had me fuming, but after awhile, I found it easier to just roll with it.
Once the video had stopped, Ranger addressed the crowd. "There was also a witness to the fight who might be able to provide more details." The men looked at each other. They had seen no one else in the room. Ranger then looked at me with warm eyes, my cue to enter. I stood and walked down the middle aisle. All across the room, there were gasps and even a few cheers. I took my place next to Ranger and looked out at the crowd. What I saw warmed my heart and even brought tears to my eyes. There were smiles and even a few tears. My big tough Alpha males were crying.
Finally, Tank composed himself enough to say, "How?" Between the three of us- Diesel had popped in for the occasion –we explained everything that had happened. They would be the last to know the whole truth. Everyone else would eventually be told that I faked my death for safety reasons. Frankly, this explanation seems more plausible than the real one.
Ranger then dismissed everyone, and I was caught in a series of bear hugs. Cries of "Bomber!" and "Steph!" filled the room. Soon, all who remained were my closest friends. They were all grinning like idiots. "Don't ever do that to us again, Bomber." Tank said. The rest nodded in agreement. I smiled and gathered everyone in for a group hug.
----- I'll warn you now, parts might get a bit sappy. I'm not sure where they came from. My best guess is that my pen has a mind of its own. Or I'm a romantic at heart. Either way, you've been warned.