Title: Saying Goodbye

Author: Robin

Disclaimer: They belong to JE. If Ranger were mine, you would never hear from me again, I'd be too busy. ;)

A/N: Babe fic. Some angst. Consider us spoiled through Plum Lovin'. Thanks for the great feedback from the first chapter. Y'all are the best.

Rating: PG… for now

He rested his forehead against mine and sighed. "Being near you soothes me," he said.

"Then I'm coming with you."

Chapter 2

I wasn't entirely sure why I'd pressed Ranger to let me come, but a half-hour later, Ranger and I were walking out my door. I'd thrown everything I could fit into a duffel bag, including my best black suit, my most conservative heels (only two and a half inches) and whatever warm weather clothes I could drag out of the back of my closet. I'd tamed my mane into a ponytail, thrown on some jeans and layers on top and arranged for Mary Lou to Rex-sit. I'd have to call Connie later and let her know to give Lula or Joyce (gag!) my skips until I got back. If I timed the call right, maybe I could avoid talking to Vinnie. He was gonna blow a gasket when he found he was two bounty hunters short this week.

Ranger had been pretty quiet since we left my apartment and he hadn't mentioned his father again. Not that this surprised me. Ranger was taciturn on a good day. And while he may feel emotion, he rarely showed it. Talking about it would be out of the question. I wasn't gonna push him. Not now. I didn't know what he needed from me, but nagging him to talk about his feelings probably wasn't it. I was just gonna go with the flow. Well, that was the plan. I wasn't really a go with the flow kinda girl. Maybe it's an Italian thing. Or it could be a Jersey thing. Or it could just be me.

Less than two hours later, I was sitting in a first-class seat next to Ranger, sipping the world's worst cup of coffee and trying to think if I'd forgotten anything. I knew there was something, but I just couldn't put my finger on it. Hmm… my curling iron was off, there were no plants to water, bills had mostly been paid, and my mascara had been packed.

A voice came over the sound system, interrupting my thoughts, "The forward boarding door has been closed. At this time it is necessary to discontinue the use of all portable electronic devices…" I reached down to turn my phone off and saw that I had one missed message. From Joe.

Shit. I forgot about Joe. Probably shoulda called him before I left. We were supposed to go out tonight for dinner, like a real date, like real couples did, to an actual restaurant. I smacked my forehead, earning an amused look from Ranger.

"You could knock something loose if you're not careful," he said with a small smile, running his thumb gently across my brow.

"Too late for that," I returned jokingly, making a face. "Now I'm just trying to restart it."

Ranger took the offending hand in his and pressed a kiss into the palm before setting it in my lap. "Everything okay?" he asked. "This trip gonna cause trouble with the cop?"

I swear nothing slips past him. It was freaking annoying. I gave Ranger a tight smile, "Nothing I can't handle."

He just stared at me, like he was trying to figure me out. I sighed and looked away, thinking, 'Get in line, Ranger. When I've got it straight, I'll let you know.' Well probably I wouldn't let him know, but at least I'd know. That would be good. Right?

All thoughts of my bizarre love triangle flew out of my head as the plane's engines whirred to life and we headed for the runway. I grabbed Ranger's hand, holding on for dear life. He looked over and quirked an eyebrow at the white-knuckle grip.

"Sorry," I said, releasing his hand. Ranger held tight, though, not letting my hand slide away.

With a gentle squeeze he said, "It's okay."

"I'm not a great flier." My confession ended on a huge yawn and I pressed my free hand over my gaping mouth.

"Close your eyes and we'll be there before you know it," he said, tilting my seat back.

"I am sleepy. But, I have to pay attention to make sure the plane doesn't crash," I stated with an irrational conviction that if I stayed awake, I had some control.

Ranger's thumb idly rubbed soothing patterns against my hand. "Rest, Babe. I'll make sure you don't fall out of the sky."

"You sure," I asked. I was supposed to be taking care of him, not the other way around.

He lowered the shade and tilted back his own seat to meet mine. "I'm sure. I don't sleep easily in public places."

"Okay," I said, closing my eyes and leaning back in my seat, "Just watch out for that blonde flight attendant. She looks shifty. Weird eyes."

Ranger's soft chuckle was the last thing I heard before I dropped off.

)()()()()-()()()()(

I awoke to the captain announcing that we were making our initial approach into the Miami airport. I rolled my head to the side to see that Ranger had nodded off too, his head resting against the window. He looked peaceful. There was no visible trace of the warrior inside except the fading scar on the side of his neck, courtesy of Scrog. I took this opportunity to study him, his smooth skin, strong jaw, soft lips. He'd hate to be called beautiful, but ya gotta call a spade a spade.

"You're staring, Babe," he said, eyes still closed.

I started with surprise. He must have radar. "Just admiring the view," I said with a grin. He cracked open one eye and looked out the window. The shade was still drawn.

He let his eyelid drop shut as a lazy grin split his face, "You want me."

We both knew this was true, but I wasn't about to admit to it. "We're landing soon," I said, changing the subject.

The shifty blonde stewardess paused next to us then. "Sir, you need to bring your seatback forward." Her uniform blouse was unbuttoned one button beyond good taste and her surgically enhanced assets were spilling out at eyelevel as she leaned over me to speak to Ranger. She pressed the button to raise his seatback and consequently brought his head into closer proximity to her breasts.

Ranger remained stoney faced, simply raising a single eyebrow at her while I none too subtly cleared my throat. Our hands were still entwined between us and had been the entire flight. Ranger raised them to his lips, kissing the back of my hand, his eyes never leaving the woman's face, despite the twin distractions dangling below. She finally got the hint, tossed a glare at me and turned to assist another passenger.

I watched as she slithered down the aisle. "Jeez, she would have crawled into your lap if you'd shown the slightest interest," I whispered to him. "When I'd said to keep an eye on her I was thinking terrorist attack not death by silicone smothering."

Ranger's laughter caught me off guard, like it always did. I remembered the first time I'd heard it, back when I commandeered the use of his apartment during the Slayer situation. He was so unguarded when he laughed like that. So human.

He leaned over to me, still amused, and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "What's so funny?" I asked narrowing my eyes.

He just smiled. It was a rare and beautiful thing. "You make me laugh. Thank you for that and for coming with me."

I smiled back at him because I just couldn't help myself. "You're welcome, Ranger."

TBC…