A/N: If you haven't checked out Between the Lines yet, definitely go do that. It's a series of scenes from J.L. from other people's POV. For those of you who wondered about the significance of the password in Ch. 5 of Between the Lines, it kind of spells out Stephanie P if you look at the numbers as letters…

Oh yeah, lots of Spanish towards the end of this chapter. All the translations are at the bottom, and nothing vital is in Spanish, but if it annoys all of you non-Spanish speakers, let me know and I'll leave it out from now on. Spanish is my second language and I just love being able to use it, especially since it makes Ranger so hot. But I know it can be annoying to be reading and come to a sentence you don't understand and have to scroll all the way to the bottom to figure it out. Just know that I will never put anything really important in Spanish. Sorry that was so long. On with the story!


Sound was the first sense to return. There were voices; low and muffled, faraway, garbled like they were coming out of an old-fashioned radio. I couldn't understand a word.

I knew that I was moving, though I knew I couldn't be walking. I couldn't feel my legs. Or any other part of my body, for that matter. I wondered if they'd drugged me again.

"…get her upstairs…" I clearly heard. The rest was still tuning in and out. I caught a word here or there, but none of it made sense.

I registered that I was being carried, and I tried to struggle, really I did, but my brain wouldn't cooperate with the rest of my body.

"…coming around…" said a voice very near to my head. My carrier, I supposed. The other voices answered him, but I didn't catch any of it.

My mind was racing a mile a minute. Where were the Merry Men? Why hadn't they found me yet? Oh yeah, dummy, because you lost your trackers. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't really feel my face either.

I wished I could see Ranger, just one more time. He was due home in a couple of days. Would I still be alive then? Would they kill me right away, or would they keep me around as incentive for Ranger to back down? They had to know that if they killed me, all bets were off. I knew in my heart that Ranger would return the favor. An eye for an eye, a life for a life. If they kept me alive, there was a chance Ranger might find me. Had Tank called him? Was he stuck in Washington, helpless to do anything? Ranger would hate being helpless, that I knew for sure. I hoped they would let him leave, just so that he'd feel like he was doing something, even if he couldn't save me. Would he blame himself? More than anything else, I hated that thought. That thought alone was enough incentive to have me contemplating another escape plan. It didn't get far.

"The boss is going to kill us," one of the voices was saying. It was clearer now, like someone had tuned the radio.

"We found her, didn't we?" Someone else said.

"But look at the condition she's in," a third put in.

They were quiet for several moments and I felt myself carried up a set of stairs. A door closed and I was lowered onto something soft. A bed? A couch?

"What should we do?" The first voice asked. Alarm bells were going off in my head. Why did I know that voice?

"We let her rest," the third voice replied. "She's been through a lot. The combination of the drugs, the adrenaline let-down, and the shock have caught up with her. Let her sleep it off."

Was it just me, or did they sound concerned? Surely Trotter and his goonies didn't care whether I lived or died.

"Well, she'd better wake up before the boss gets here, that's all I'm saying," the first voice said. Something clicked in my head. Tall, dark, Cuban. I remembered a story about Ranger pulling strings to get someone into his unit in the army. "Bad enough we lost her, we'll be in the shit if he finds out we let her get damaged, too. We'll be on the next ship out to Bum Fuck Egypt."

"Lester?" I tried. My voice came out sounding like a croaky whisper.

"Did she say something?" The lowest of the voices asked.

"Shh. Steph, honey, you with us?"

I tried again. "Les?" I pried my eyes open with gargantuan effort. Warm, chocolate eyes smiled down at me.

"I'm here, Steph. You're safe."

I closed my eyes and took a deep, calming breath. I was safe. I was at Rangeman. Lester, Bobby, and Tank were here to protect me from the boogiemen.

"Wha…what happened?"

Tank let out a deep chuckle. "We were hoping you'd tell us."

I opened my eyes and looked up at them. We were in Ranger's office. I was lying on the couch. I tried to pull myself into a sitting position, but Bobby was there, grabbing my arms, helping me up and leaning me against him.

"Try to relax, bomber. You've been through a lot tonight. Your body is just catching up."

I leaned into his warm, broad side and suddenly all the tears I'd wanted to cry were there, falling down my face, into my lap, onto Bobby.

And then Lester was in front of me, taking my hands in his own, his eyes filled with concern.

"What is it, beautiful? Does something hurt? You can use me as a pillow and we'll make B do his fucking job."

This got a soft laugh out of me. "I'm fine," I told him. "I'm not hurt. I just…"

"It's okay, bomber," Bobby assured me. "Like I said, your body's just catching up. No doubt your mind is, too."

I sniffled in reply.

"You want a drink, bombshell?" Tank asked me.

My stomach grumbled in reply.

Tank chuckled. "And a snack?"

I nodded, then watched as he left the room mumbling something about finding Ella.

Lester rose from in front of me and sat down on my other side. I was smushed between two big, strong men and I was still shaking with the aftereffects of fear.

"I want Ranger."

Bobby hugged me tighter to his side. "I know you do, Steph. He's on his way."

"Oops," I mumbled. "I didn't mean to say that out loud."

Lester let out a soft laugh. "Believe me, beautiful, he probably wants to be here even more than you want him here. Don't tell him I told you this, but I'm pretty sure the man has lost his mind."

I blinked up at him. Ranger had always been a little crazy, but for one of his men to say that he'd lost his mind, well this I had to hear. "Huh?"

"He walked out on a government meeting, then when there weren't any flights available, he stole a Mercedes to drive home. Probably breaking the land speed record while he's at it."

"R…Ranger stole a car?" I managed to splutter.

Bobby laughed. "What? Like that's something new?"

"He'll send it back," Lester reassured me with a squeeze.

But he'd still be speeding across two states in a stolen car. "Call him and tell him I'm safe," I begged. "He needs to slow down. The last thing I need is him in jail for grand theft auto…or worse, wrapped around a telephone pole."

"Shhh," Lester shushed. "Ranger's fine. We already called to tell him we had you. He's an excellent driver, and he knows how to avoid the cops."

I closed my eyes and leaned into Lester's side.

Ranger had been worried; so worried that he'd stolen a car and was driving the four hours home. I was a horrible person. I needed to stop getting myself into these things.

Tank came back in a few moments later carrying a mug and a plate.

"Hot cocoa and grilled cheese," he announced. "Ella says they're comfort food. But she said she'll make you something else if you want."

I took the dishes from him and shook my head with a smile. "No, this is great. Thanks Tank. And tell Ella thank you."

He nodded and moved across the room to pull over a chair.

"You probably want to know what happened now, huh?" I asked before taking a tiny bite of my sandwich.

"Eat first, bomber. And relax. There'll be plenty of time to compare stories."

So I ate. Just before my sandwich was gone, Ella popped her head into the room and handed Tank a white bakery bag. I took the bag from Tank and nearly cried with gratitude. Two Boston Crèmes. I savored them both. Probably a little too much if Lester's pained groans were any indication.

When I was done I looked up at Tank.

"Where should I start?" I asked.

"The beginning would be good."

And so I did. I started with the searches on Mortars and my realization that if I found Trotter, I'd find Mortars. The guys figured it was good logic, they just wished I hadn't followed up personally.

I went on about my escape from Rangeman. Tank and Lester seemed highly impressed by my creativity. Bobby was not so amused. Apparently he'd been on Steph-watch at the time. He'd been called down to four to deal with a sick Rangeman and had totally missed my exit. Apparently they hadn't even noticed I was missing until about 6 o'clock when Bobby came to get me and send me upstairs for dinner. I have to admit, mixed in with the pride at my ingenuity, I was a little insulted that they hadn't noticed I was gone for four whole hours.

When I got to the part about how Lula had helped me figure out where Trotter took his women, Tank looked a little peeved. He mumbled something like, "should have known." And something about forgetting to check phone records. The great Tank could forget something…I have to admit, I was astonished.

I told them about parking on Lenning Street and Uni-guy kidnapping me. Bobby informed us that the drug he'd shot me up with had been a strong sedative. He didn't seem surprised when I told them that I was pretty sure I was out cold for hours.

No one looked happy when I got to the part about Uni wanting to use me as a bargaining tool against Ranger. I wanted so badly to ask them to leave that out of the account when Ranger was told, but I knew it would be a waste of time. The Merry Men didn't keep anything from their fearless leader; especially not where I was involved. They were all too afraid of what would happen to them. I hated that this would only reinforce Ranger's insane theory that being with him would be more of a danger to me. Too bad I could have gotten into this mess all on my own with no trouble at all.

I told them about my almost-escape through the vents, and then they took over. Lester told me how they had been hiding out around the corner, waiting for the opportune moment to bust in to the rescue, when I'd come barrel-assing down the street. It had been pure dumb luck that Lester had been doing a drive-by at the same moment Tank had spotted me on the sidewalk. So it was Tank's humongous hand that had shoved me into the car. Bobby took over to tell me that I'd hyperventilated and passed out on the way to Rangeman. Way to go, Plum. The good guys save the day and you're too busy fainting to thank them.

"How did you find me, anyway? I looked out the window and Big Blue was gone. My phone and my purse were both in it."

A vague look passed between Lester and Tank, but it was Bobby who answered me.

"PFM, bombshell. Tank and Lester suggested that we check out Lenning again. We heard some guys talking about the prize they'd caught, and then there you were."

That was definitely not the whole story, but I doubted I could get the real one out of them tonight. I was just too exhausted.

"PFM?" I asked.

"Pure fucking magic, beautiful," Lester told me. "Military lingo."

I nodded.

"You look done in, Steph. Why don't you head on upstairs and get some sleep?" Tank said.

I looked up at him. Sleep. Yeah, right. Like I was going to sleep tonight. These guys might be able to zonk out after a combat situation, but it took me a few nights every time something like this happened. At least, if I was sleeping alone.

"I'll take you upstairs, bomber," Lester said, pulling me to my feet.

"You said Ranger was on his way," I squeaked. "I can just wait for him down here."

They all looked at me, then Bobby caught Lester's eye. Lester nodded.

"You'll be more comfortable upstairs, bombshell. I'll stay with you until Ranger gets here. We can watch Ghostbusters or something. I think there's even some popcorn in the break room we can nab."

I was all ready to protest, but a huge yawn broke out before I could, and I looked up at Lester sheepishly.

"Alright."

He smiled and ushered me to the break room to grab the popcorn, then into the elevator. He grabbed a key fob out of his back pocket and it took me a moment to realize that it was mine. He saw me looking and held it out to me, the corners of his lips tipping up in a fantastic impersonation of Ranger's almost-smile.

"Your purse and cell are already upstairs. I dropped them off when we brought Big Blue back."

My eyes widened. "Big Blue is okay?"

Les laughed. "When is that car not okay? We think it was stolen from where you parked it. Shit luck, huh?"

I nodded, the motion making the dizziness return. I stumbled forward a step before Lester caught me and drew me in against his body.

"Okay, beautiful?"

"Uh-huh," I managed.

The doors dinged open on seven and Lester stepped out, tugging me along beside him. He opened the door and took the key fob back from me, setting it in the tray by the door. Then he led me into the bedroom and left me standing by the bed.

"Go get a shower, bomber. I'll be in the living room. Yell if you need me." And he left the room, closing the door behind him.

I took a few minutes to make sure I wasn't going to fall over, then I headed into the bathroom.

I came out into the living room twenty minutes later in a pair of Ranger's sweatpants and one of his black t's. Lester looked up and smiled.

"Feeling better?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Good, I'll make the popcorn, you put the movie in."

I glanced down at the table after he had left the room. A copy of Ghostbusters on DVD sat there waiting.

"Is this mine?" I called to Lester.

"Don't think so. I found it on Ranger's movie shelf."

When had Ranger gotten a copy of Ghostbusters? I shook my head gently. Probably around the same time I'd added Road Warrior to my own collection.

By the time Lester came back with the popcorn, I was snuggled under a blanket on the couch and the opening credits were rolling.

He sat down without a word and I scooted over and leaned into his shoulder. He didn't pull away and he didn't question it. After a moment, his arm came up around my shoulders and he squeezed gently.

"He'll be here soon, Steph," Lester said softly.

I nodded and closed my eyes. Maybe I'd just rest them for a moment. I felt safe enough here with Lester's strong arm around me. I wished he were Ranger.

"Get some rest, beautiful. I'm not going anywhere."

I nodded against his chest. I really was tired. And Uni had hardly been the scariest of my psychos. Mortars was a hell of a lot scarier. My eyes flew open.

No, I was safe. I was at Rangeman. I was in Ranger's apartment. Lester was here. I forced myself to relax and close my eyes again. I dozed.


I was back in that room; that god-awful room in the building on Lenning Street and I had no idea how I'd gotten there. My arms were bound behind my back and my legs were shackled together. I opened my mouth to scream and realized that I was gagged, as well. I glanced at the ceiling and every hope for escape faded; no vent.

The door opened as I looked on with awestruck horror, and Edwin Mortars stepped into the room. He was the handsome man I remembered from the bar, except that his hair was dank and greasy, his clothes old and dirtied. His eyes glowed in the semi-darkness like those of some long-forgotten demon. I tried again to scream, but no sound escaped around the musty cloth stuck in my mouth. I gagged, trying desperately to hold back the vomit, knowing that I would suffocate if I didn't.

"He thought he'd use me, did he? Thought he'd ruin my life? Well, I won't let him get away with it."

I squirmed, trying to get my hands loose as Mortars reached behind him and pulled a gun out of his waistband. Instead of aiming it at me, like I'd anticipated, he stood to one side of the door and waited. And waited.

I had a horrible feeling of déjà vu. Hadn't this happened before? But not here. No, somewhere else. And not Mortars….Scrog.

I struggled uselessly against my restraints, sending out prayers and demands. 'Where's your goddamn ESP now, batman?' I wanted to scream, even as I watched the door swing inward and a dark shadow step into the room.

The gunshot was like a scream in the silence. The flash lit his handsome face as his eyes found mine, just before he jerked backwards, and fell to the floor.

My eyes flew open and each breath burned in my chest. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't get my throat to work.

Strong hands grasped my shoulders and forced me to turn. I stared unseeing into the darkness, Mortars eyes still hauntingly real in my mind.

"Babe, look at me."

Oh, God, that voice. That sweet, sweet voice. Where was he? I couldn't find him.

"Bebé, it is just a dream. It is only a dream, amada. Open your eyes, Stephanie. Look at me."

They are, I wanted to say, they are open. But then I realized that he was right. No wonder it was so dark. I pried my eyes open and sobbed in relief at the sight of Ranger, bare-chested, strong and warm beside me in the bed.

"Babe? You with me?"

I nodded, my breath still coming out in pants.

"Shhh, you're safe, babe. I've got you."

He cradled me to his chest, his hands stroking warm lines up and down my back.

"Lay back down, babe. Everything's fine."

He pulled me down beside him on the bed, pulling me across so that I was lying half on his chest.

"You want to talk about it?" He asked.

I told him everything, from the real kidnapping all the way to the horrible ending of my dream. I was sobbing into his chest by the time I finished.

"It's not real, babe. You're here, safe with me, okay? Nothing's going to hurt you."

"I know," I whispered.

He was silent for several moments, then he leaned down and whispered against my hair.

"You want me to sing you to sleep, querida?"

I tried to pull my head back to look at him, but he held me fast to his chest. Ranger was going to sing to me? How could I refuse?

I nodded.

"My abuela used to sing this to me," he whispered.

His hands stroked my hair and back, as he began to sing.

"Dormite, niñita; no llores chiquita
Vendrán angelitos las sombras de noche.
Rayitos de luna, rayitos de plata
Alumbran mi niña que está en mis brazos."

He'd never win a Grammy, but his voice was low and smooth, and the soft cadences of the Spanish language had me slipping slowly into unconsciousness. I wondered briefly what the words meant.

"Rayitos del sol el cielo azul
Dejan dormir y empieza vivir.
Dormite, niñita, con ojos diamantes
Estrellas brillantes florido el cielo."

The last thing I knew before I finally fell asleep were Ranger's lips against my hair and his voice saying, "Sleep now, mi amor. Nada le dañará esta noche."


A/N: Thanks again for reading and reviewing!

Translations:
Bum Fuck Egypt- military lingo for 'the middle of nowhere'. Any extremely isolated place.
Bebé- babe
Amada- beloved
Querida- beloved (I'm trying to decide which one I like better for him to call her. Any suggestions?)
Abuela- grandmother
Mi amor- my love
Nada le dañará esta noche- Nothing is going to harm you tonight

The song is called Dormite Niñito. It's an old lullaby from El Salvador. I know Ranger's family is from Cuba, but I couldn't find any good Cuban lullabies. Forgive me. I also changed niñito to niñita since he's singing to a girl…I'm not sure if it would really make a difference, but it seemed right to me. The real song says "que está en la cuna" at the end of the first verse. This means "who is in the cradle", so I changed it to "que está in mis brazos", which means "who is in my arms". Here is the full translation:

Now sleep, little baby; don't cry, little darling
The angels are coming with shadows of evening
The rays of the moonlight spin fine threads of silver
To shine on my baby asleep in my arms.

The rays of the sun, the blue of the sky
Will wake you from dreams when morning is nigh
Now sleep, little baby, with eyes bright as diamonds
And brilliant as starlight that shines from the heavens.