All credit goes to JE. She was nice enough to make up these wonderful characters for me to play with. I only take credit for my hunky army men J

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Chapter 24

We walked into Pino's and everyone turned took look. I could only imagine the rumors flying around about why I suddenly disappeared. We got a table in the back and the waitress was immediately there taking our order. I requested a large pie and a pitcher of coke.

Damien broke the silence. "Are you nervous about training? I'm starting to think I'm not cut out for this. Maybe I should just quit while I'm ahead, it's still not too late to back out and pick another job."

My mouth dropped open in surprise. He wasn't quitting on me now. "I don't think so Reynolds. If I can do this, you can too, we're in this together."

"Do what?" said Eddie walking up to us.

"Eddie!" I exclaimed jumping up and embracing him in a hug.

He laughed. "Long time no see Steph. Won't your boyfriend be jealous that you're hugging such a handsome man?" he laughed some more.

Oh yea, Damien. "Sorry, where are my manners. Eddie this is my friend Damien and no he's not going to get jealous because he's not my boyfriend."

Damien stuck out his hand and shook Eddie's. "Nice to meet you man."

"Where have you been Steph? The rumor mill has been rolling and last I heard you ran off with Ranger and was having his love child!"

"Well, you can put the rumors to rest; I haven't seen Ranger in months. I was away getting training. Damien can back me up on that. He and I were side by side most of the time."

Damien snickered. "More like getting me in trouble, she attracts trouble like I've never seen."

Eddie threw back his head and laughed. "That sounds like Steph. I've got to get back to work, I just heard you were here and had to see it for myself. Don't be a stranger, I've missed ya."

"Thanks Eddie, I missed you too. I'll keep in touch." We hugged again and he left the restaurant.

"You have a lot of friends here Steph." Damien said looking forlorn.

"I guess I do, but don't worry I'll always have room for you in my yearbook."

He smiled. "Good to know."

We finished our pizza and coke then headed back to Rangeman.

The next few days passed in a blur. Damien and I hung out at Rangeman and stocked up on stuff we needed for Special Forces school. My mom had us over for dinner and Grandma Mazur continued to grope Damien. I hung out with the girls at the bonds office. Vinnie even begged me to come back to work claiming Joyce was incompetent. It made me feel good, but not good enough to go AWOL and help him out.

Our last night in Trenton was spent with the gang at a bar near Rossini's. There was a live band playing and we danced most of the night. As it was nearing midnight the band announced that they were about to pack it up for then night.

"Hey, you two should ask the band if they'll let you sing a song before they leave. I know everyone else here would love to hear you sing." Lester said pointing to Damien and me.

"Sure, are you up for it Reynolds?"

He grinned. 'Hell yea!"

We walked up to the band and asked if we could sing and if they knew the song "I'll be there" the Mariah Carey version. They nodded and handed us two microphones.

They began playing the intro and I looked at Damien and smiled. "This is for all my friends out there, thank you for always being there."

I started.

"You and I must make a pact
We must bring salvation back
Where there is love
I'll be there
I'll reach out my hand to you
I'll have faith in all you do
Just call my name
And I'll be there"

Damien cut in.

"I'll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad that I found you
I'll be there with a love that's strong
I'll be your strength
I'll keep holding on"

He smiled and put his arm around me while I sang.

"Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness is all I'm after
Whenever you need me
I'll be there
I'll be there to protect you
With an unselfish love
I'll respect you
Just call my name
And I'll be there"

He cut in again.

"I'll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad that I found you
I'll be there with a love that's strong
I'll be your strength
I'll keep holding on"

By now we were singing together.

"If you should ever find someone new
I know she'd better be good to you
'Cos if she doesn't
I'll be there"

"Don't you know, baby, yeah, yeah.
I'll be there.
I'll be there,
Just call my name,
I'll be there.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah-ah.
I'll be there, baby.
You know I'll be there.
Yyyeah- yeah-yeah-yah, yeah-ay-eah.
Just call my name,
and I'll be there.

Just look over your shoulder.
Just call my name,
and I'll be there."

The song ended and everyone erupted in applause. Marylou, Connie and Lula were wiping away tears.

"I can't believe you made me cry Steph, I didn't put on waterproof mascara!" whined Lula, lightening the mood.

We all said goodbye and headed our separate ways. When we were back at Rangeman I stopped Lester in the hallway between our apartments. "Santos." I said crooking my finger at him. "Come here, give me a hug goodbye."

He gulped. I didn't let on to anyone that I knew about the email he sent out. I know he didn't do it on purpose, but I'm going to make him squirm for a minute.

I embraced him in a hug and he relaxed. I leaned into his ear and whispered "I hear you've been busy sending emails. I'm gonna get you back Santos, you won't know where, you won't know when, but it will happen."

He took a deep breath in. "I'm sorry Steph; I didn't mean to send it to everyone. I promise Steph, I would never do that."

I laughed. "I know Santos, but payback's a bitch" I said as I closed the apartment door.

I heard him say "Fuck!" as I walked to the bedroom.

I'm not sure when I'll be back here again but it was good to know I had such good friends waiting for me.

Chapter 25

Damien and I boarded a plane the next morning after saying goodbye to my dad. I didn't want anyone else to come with us in fear of sobbing all over everyone. We got seated in the back of coach right beside the curtain that led to first class. "Hey! I want the window seat! I said laughing.

He reluctantly got up. "Fine, but I get to lean over you and look out the window when we land."

"Yea, ok, whatever." I said getting comfy in my seat. I had my I-pod with me and began shuffling through my music. We played cards and drank our complimentary drinks.

Every time the first class curtain opened I could see a flash of black fabric covered leg. Ranger….black. Nah, it couldn't be, he's in Miami. Plus it's not like no one else in the world wears black.

Just then "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" came on my I-pod and I started singing.

"Like a fool I went and stayed too long
now I'm wondering if your loves still strong
Oo baby, here I am, signed, sealed delivered, I'm yours"

Damien smiled and joined in.

"Then that time I went and said goodbye
now I'm back and not ashamed to cry
Oo baby, here I am, signed, sealed delivered, I'm yours"

By now everyone around us was listening or singing along.

"Here I am baby
Oh, you've got the future in your hand
(signed, sealed delivered, I'm yours)

Here I am baby,
Oh, you've got the future in your hand
(signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours)

I've done a lot of foolish things
That I really didn't mean
Hey, hey, yea, yea, didn't I, oh baby

Seen a lot of things in this old world
When I touched them they did nothing, girl
Oo baby, here I am, signed, sealed delivered, I'm yours, oh I'm yours

Oo-wee babe you set my soul on fire
That's why I know you are my only desire
Oo baby, here I am, signed, sealed delivered, I'm yours"

When we finished everyone applauded. "That was awesome Damien. If we didn't just sign our lives away to the United States Army I'd say we should start a band!"

He laughed. "No kidding, we would make a killing!"

****Somewhere in first class****

I turned off my laptop and lay back in my seat. Might as well get some sleep while I have the chance. I fell into a deep sleep and dreamt of a woman singing. "Signed sealed delivered…I'm yours."

I woke up with a start sweating. I dreamt of my babe singing to me. How odd, where did that come from?

Just then the stewardess interrupted my thoughts. "We landed Mr. Manoso, I didn't want to wake you right away but now we're ready to re-board. You have to leave the plane."

In my weary state I didn't notice there wasn't anyone else on the plane. I hope I can get through this next mission without thinking about my Babe too much, I can't afford any distractions.

******* ****** ******* ****** *******

The plane ride went smoothly, I'm usually afraid of planes but for some reason I had this calming feeling, like someone was watching over me making sure I was ok. It was the same feeling I had when I was with Ranger. That's weird.

We landed on time and immediately headed to Fort Bragg. Tuck picked us up from the airport and brought us to the hotel he was staying at on base. Damien and I got set up with a room and decided to get some take out with the rest of the guys.

Tuck, Murphy and Damien lounged around our room eating Chinese food from cartons and I sat Indian style on the bed with a box of moo shoo pork. I guess I was moaning a little too loudly at the taste of the food because the guys all stopped and stared, clearing their throats.

I blushed. "Sorry guys, I can't help it this food is so good."

They all groaned. "Jesus Christ Plum, you're giving me the mother of all hard ons, keep the moaning to a minimum!" Tuck whined.

I blushed again. "Sorry" was all I could say.

"You two want to go out tonight?" Murphy said as he gestured towards Damien and me.

I debated for a minute. "I'm beat guys, I'm just gonna watch TV and relax tonight and tomorrow."

Damien looked torn. "I'll pass; I'm still worn out from our partying in Trenton. Plum's friends sure do know how to have a good time!"

"Alright, but you're missing out!" said Tuck.

"Later" they both said in unison and left our room.

"Are you sure you don't want to go out? I won't be upset if you do." I said to Damien.

He gave me a cocky smile. "I'm good where I am. Plus I really am exhausted. This is the last chance we'll get to relax before we get our asses smoked for a few months."

No kidding, I hope I don't flunk out, that would suck.

We ended up watching movies for the rest of the afternoon and evening. I curled up against Damien and he wrapped his arms around me. It was nice cuddling with someone and not having any sexual tension. "What are you thinking about Steph?" Damien said softly.

I was thinking about Ranger again. It was the umpteenth time today. Ever since the plane ride I haven't been able to get him off my mind.

"Remember that guy I was telling you about in basic? I was thinking about him. I miss him so much and I wish I could share this experience with him, I wish he cared. When he left I felt like I lost my best friend. It still hurts."

He placed a kiss into my hair. "Is this the Ranger guy all your friends were talking about? He doesn't sound too smart to me. He has to be insane to let you go, you're amazing."

I sighed. "Yea, that's him. Thanks Damien, I know you're only saying that because you're my friend."

He turned me around to look at him. "I mean it Steph; you're an amazing person, any man would be lucky to be with you." He kissed my lip softly.

Damn, if I didn't love Ranger so much I would be in heaven right now. I gave him a small smile. "Thanks Reynolds, If my heart didn't belong to someone else I'd give it to you right now. You're the best."

We fell asleep like that, fully clothed on top of the blankets. His arms wrapped around my waist and my head on his chest.

Tomorrow was the first day of the rest of my life. I Hope the Special Forces if ready for Stephanie Plum, ready or not here she comes!"