The next chapter has arrived. Let me know how you're liking things so far.

Ranger's POV

Steph's plane was in the air. I knew that there were still several hours until I'd see her again, but I was restless and was finding it hard to sleep. I punched my pillow and rolled over. I was hoping that a change in position would help my mind finally get some much needed rest. I thought about everything that we have learned within the last 24 hours.

Rachel was involved somehow, but I didn't know to what extent or why. I gave her a generous monthly sum that should more than pay for Julie's clothes and hobbies. Rachel had never once complained about the amount of money I sent. She never indicated that it was insufficient or that she needed more. I'd have probably increased the amounts if she told me she needed more.

I remembered how she acted towards me the last time I visited Julie. She seemed a bit more physical than usual. She hugged me longer than usual and she touched me more, but only when Ron wasn't around. Thinking back on this, I wondered if she was trying to manipulate me somehow. Maybe if she got me into bed, she could guilt me into something or other. I was annoyed by her actions and before I finally fell asleep, I wondered what else she was planning.

I must have been tired because I didn't wake up until the sun was shining. The day had started without me, and it was then that I jerked awake realising that Stephanie should be here by now. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw her on the other side of my bed. She was still asleep and I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her close to me. I inhaled her scent and relaxed for the first time in days.

I held her close for a long while. The sun was high in the sky before by Babe woke. When she finally opened her beautiful blue eyes, I was smiling widely. "Ranger," she whispered as she blinked and smiled.

"Babe, I'm so glad you're here." I hugged her tightly and only let go when she tried to wiggle out of my arms and said, "Ranger, I need to use the restroom."

I watched as she pulled on one of my sweatshirts. It fell to her knees so she didn't need to put on any pants to wander around the house. She returned a few minutes later and crawled back into bed beside me. She nuzzled up against me and then started talking.

"I have an idea that might help us get some more information."

I raised my eyebrow and Babe continued. "Based on Rachel and Wood's habits over the past few months, they are due for a liaison at their usual Miami hotel in two days. If they keep up their schedule and we go to Miami, we can use that predictability against them. "

She spent the next few minutes explaining her ideas and how they could work to our advantage. We'd confront West and manipulate Rachel. It sounded like it might just work to me.

I hugged my Babe and said, "I'm proud of you Babe. You have given us the makings of a pretty feasible plan. Let's get ready for the day so we can go and fill the guys in on your suggestion and start making our plans. Why don't you shower and I'll go call Ron?"

She nodded and made her way to the bathroom, taking her bag with me. As I watched her walk out of the room, I pulled out my phone and called Ron.

"Hey Ron, it's Carlos Manoso, Stephanie said that you wanted to talk to me. How can I help?"

"Oh hey Carlos, thanks for calling. I wanted to talk about the adoption papers I signed when I adopted Julie. In those papers, you insisted on adding a clause that would protect Rachel and Julie in the event that Rachel and I ever divorced. Well, I will be packing up my belongings and serving Rachel with divorce papers in two days. I found out that she has been having an affair for at least the past 6 months and I cannot in good faith live with a woman like that.

"Because of that clause in the adoption papers, all paternal rights to Julie will revert back to you. After the divorce, I will have the legal right to see my own kids, but not Julie. I was hoping that you would support my request for visitation rights with Julie. I know she's biologically not my daughter, but."

Ron trailed off at that point so I said, "Ron, I would never keep Julie from you. You love her and she loves you. I will definitely ensure that you are able to see her after your divorce."

"Thanks Carlos. I know it's an awkward situation, but I can't go on like this."

"I completely understand Ron, and that's why I hate to ask this of you. Can you hold off for at least 2 or three days to serve Rachel with the papers?

Ron was silent for a moment and replied, "God Carlos, that's asking a lot. Can you tell me why?"

"I can't give you all the details, but the man that Rachel has been seeing is responsible for an attempt on my life. I think Rachel might be involved and is hoping to get her hands on my money. I need you to do your best to pretend that everything is fine between the two of you. When Rachel leaves to meet her lover in 2 days, we will confront him. If Rachel is involved, all of the kids will need you home, more than ever. That's why I need you to postpone serving Rachel with the divorce papers.

Ron sighed and said, "I will hold off, but only for a few days. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help."

I smiled and said, "I only found out about Rachel's affair yesterday. Her plan to get her hands on my money has thrown me for a bit of a loop. I can only imagine what her affair has done to you. I'll do anything I can to help in the aftermath of this situation. Once we have the necessary information, I'll come there personally to fill you and Julie in on this crazy situation."

I got off the phone with Ron and waited for Babe to finish with her shower. She returned moments later and I took my turn in the shower. When I got back to the room, Babe was dressed and ready to go down to start our day. I got dressed as I filled Babe in on my conversation with Ron. Upon reflection, she mentioned that she had noticed something odd with Ron's behaviour towards Rachel. When I was dressed, I led Babe downstairs and into the kitchen. I wasn't surprised to find everyone sitting there waiting for us.

Lester looked up as we walked in and said, "It's a good thing you two made an appearance. I was beginning to wonder if I should go and drag you down myself. Ram has made Brunch. It is ready and we were waiting for you."

I growled at Lester and said, "Just because we don't have a gym doesn't mean I can't call you to the mats Santos."

Lester grinned at me and said, "I don't think you're shoulder is at full strength yet. Perhaps you should let it heal a bit longer before taking me on."

I glared at Lester before looking around at my men and said, "Stephanie explained an idea she had this morning. I'd like to share it with you all now, but first we need something to eat."

I looked at Lester and said, "Can you please contact Trenton and Miami and set up a conference call meeting in 1 hour? I want to explain Steph's idea to the team here and the guys in Trenton before the conference call. Ask Tank to get the key players in the conference room in Trenton in 15 minutes. Ensure that you include Lula. She's been a key player throughout this whole ordeal and I want to make sure that she is included."

Lester nodded and left the room to make his phone calls. Meanwhile, Stephanie hurried through a bowl of cereal and some coffee and then gathered the whole team together so we could explain what we were thinking.

Stephanie and I spent the next 35 minutes explaining our plan. Tank was quite supportive and confirmed that the RangeMan jet was back in Trenton. Tank and as many men as we could spare for 3 or 4 days would fly to D.C., pick us up and then head on towards Miami. Lula would join them because Steph thought she'd be helpful.

The phone conference helped us finalise all of our plans and everyone was given their assignments. Tank, Hector, Lula and Bobby will fly down on the jet, leaving Cal to run RangeMan. They would pick us up in D.C. and we'd then go on to Miami.

In addition to the plan we had already worked out, Lula would play a new and vital role. We would use our RangeMan influence to get her placed on the front desk at the hotel. This would allow us to control the room where Rachel and West were placed. We would ensure that we had complete control over the room as well as comprehensive surveillance capabilities.

We will book several rooms around West's and be able to observe who comes and goes. We will station men in the adjoining room and when it's time, they'll enter West's room using the adjoining door. They will interrogate West and move him to another location if he is uncooperative. My Babe's plan is coming together nicely.

Every person in the safe house was packing up and getting ready to leave. George is currently trying to put everything we discovered into an organised system so it can be easily referenced at a later time. Fiona and Stephanie are helping him with that and I am helping the guys pack the weapons and get the vehicles ready to go to the airport.

I was trying to lift a box that required my arms to stretch fully to their limit, but with my shoulder injury, it was causing me problems. Lester saw my struggle and came and gave me a hand. He looked at me, cocked his head to the side and said, "I never thought I'd see the day where Ranger Manoso needed help."

I growled at Lester and dropped my end of the box. I waited for Lester to drop his end and then took a swing at him. I smiled at him and said, "I need a few bruises in order to make it look like I'm in trouble when I confront Rachel. I doubt you can help, but I'll let you try."

Lester grinned and said, "You're not at full strength there Boss Man, so I'm bound to get in a good punch or two."

"Bring it on lover boy."

Lester laughed and I took the opportunity to take his feet out from under him. Lester was a bit surprised to land on his back, but he rolled over and regained his footing. We circled each other and I taunted him about his playboy days. I could see the way he and LeBlanc were looking at each other over the past few days, so I figured if he hadn't already, he would add her to his long list of conquests.

I even made a comment along those lines which was a good idea in the end because it angered Lester enough that he landed two well aimed punches. One caught me just above the eye, dazing me a little. The second caught me just on the side of the head, causing little to no pain or damage. I kept taunting Lester about Fiona, and we were so focused on each other that we didn't notice the growing audience.

My Babe and Fiona came out to see what all the noise was about and something I said must have hit home because the next thing I knew, I was flat on my back and my head was ringing. I blinked a few times and shook my head before looking around. I could see a furious looking Fiona standing over me and a grinning Lester.

"Ranger, you were knocked out by a girl"

I looked at Fiona and saw the anger in her eyes. I pushed myself off the ground and felt my aching jaw. Babe stepped forward, looked at me, then Fiona and said, "That will do it. You'll have a great bruise on your jaw from where Fiona kicked you. Now apologise to her because you were a bit of a jerk Ranger."

I thought back to the words I was saying. I was trying to taunt Lester. I wasn't trying to offend Fiona, but it appears that she overheard me and was offended. I turned from my Babe's amused face and looked at Fiona. There was anger in her eyes, but her face softened a little when Lester moved closer to her. I was about to open my mouth and beg her forgiveness when she said, "Ranger, I understand what you were doing. You were trying to piss Lester off enough to leave a few bruises on you. Unfortunately, you were using me to rile him up and I didn't like it. You will probably have a nasty bruise on your jaw later, which will work in your favour when convincing your ex-wife that you are seriously injured."

I looked at Fiona and said, "You have one hell of a round-house LeBlanc. I'm truly sorry for my words. You were correct that I was just trying to rile Lester up, but I didn't consider your feelings. I am also grateful for the bruise. It will help with our plan."

Fiona smiled and said, "Anytime. You might also be interested in some additional training that I have. I am able to fabricate burnt skin and other injuries using makeup and prosthetics. If you want, I can add a few so that it looks like you have a close escape from the explosion."

I nodded and said, "That's a great idea LeBlanc. Write down a list of requirements and I'll have one of my men acquire the supplies by the time we get to Miami."

I watched Fiona help Lester to his feet and then walk back into the house to make her list. Lester looked after her and then back at me and grinned. I smiled at him because up until now, I just thought of her as a conquest. Maybe there was more to it than I though. Maybe Lester has found the woman of his dreams.

"Ranger, let me take a look at that jaw of yours."

I turned and let Babe take a look at my face. She took a deep breath when she saw my jaw, meaning it really was bad. She gently ran her finger along my jaw and I flinched. Even with her light touch, I could tell that it might be broken.

"Ranger, I think this might be broken. You should put some ice on it for now. Once we get the answers we need, you should get that looked at."

I looked at my Babe and tried to smile. It hurt so I kept a blank face. "I think you're right Babe. Let's go see if we can find some ice."

The next chapter will follow tomorrow. Thanks for reading and all of the wonderful comments.