They're not mine and I'm not making any money…
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What Happens in Vegas
Chapter 2
"We couldn't have," I repeated in a slightly higher voice when Ranger continued to stare at me. "We'd remember that."
"Babe," he said, taking a step towards me but I just took a step backwards. There was no way I could deal with this right now.
"We can't be…" I started before shaking my head again as I trailed off. I couldn't even say the word. "You said you'd never do something stupid like that."
"Stephanie," Ranger tried using my full name as he took another step towards me.
"I can't do this right now," I said, giving him a pleading look as a jolt of panic shot through me.
"Okay, Babe," Ranger said in a calming voice after he'd watched me for a minute. "Then you go get your shower and meet me out in the sitting area in an hour like we'd planned. Is that enough time?"
"Maybe," I answered, while mentally screaming 'No.'
"This isn't going to go away. We have to figure out what it means… it may mean nothing," he said, but neither of us really believed that.
"Okay. An hour," I conceded, before turning and exiting his room as quickly as possible and retreating to my own.
Once there, I could hear the water still running in the bathroom from when I'd started it earlier for my shower. Deciding that going ahead with a shower was a good idea, I headed back to the bathroom.
Before climbing into the shower, I pulled off Ranger t-shirt and tossed it into the corner. Then, staring at my left hand, I debated taking the rings off. They really were beautiful and they felt kind of good, but they didn't belong there so I decided to take them off. Problem was that when I tried, I couldn't get them to slide over my knuckle and pulling harder only made the knuckle swell. Guess they were staying on a bit longer.
In the shower, I studiously avoided the bottle of Bulgari that was still sitting on the ledge. The last thing I needed right now was a bunch of Ranger scented bubbles all around me. My mind was racing enough as it was.
We couldn't be… married.
Just that simple thought caused a cocktail of emotions to flood through me, rendering me extremely confused. The fear and panic I expected. The lust I accepted. The love and happiness I squashed into a back corner of my mind to be taken out and examined when this was all over.
Right now, I was puzzling over how this had come about. Had we really been that drunk? God, I wished I could remember something of last night. Then I might remember if I was Mrs. Carlos Manoso… Shit! There go the warm, fuzzy feelings in my belly.
On the other hand, the fact that I had more than likely slept with Ranger again last night now seemed like a minor issue. And it would have technically been sanctified by marriage… Not that we could actually be married.
Deciding I needed to get out of the shower before I could think any more, I shut off the water and wrapped a towel around myself. The towels were fluffy, but not quite as nice as the ones in Ranger's apartment. I wonder what kind of towels he has at the Batcave… Shit, I may have married him and I have no idea where he lives.
My mother is going to kill me when this gets back to her, I realized. I'd gotten drunk in Vegas and woken up with a hangover and a husband. No one she knows has a daughter who goes to Vegas and gets married. I'm sure of it. She's going to need to take in ironing to get over this. That or buy out a liquor store.
No more thinking, I mentally shouted as the panicked tone of my thoughts began to register.
Taking a deep breath, I flipped upside down, towel dried my hair and ran some gel through it before heading into my room. Once there, I checked my phone and saw that I still had about half an hour before I had to meet Ranger. I don't think I can make it that long before my head explodes. I may actually have to be proactive for once and go find him to get this talk over with.
Deciding to go ahead and locate Ranger, I pulled on sweats and left my room to do just that. It didn't take me long to though, since he was sitting on the couch waiting for me.
"Hey, Babe," he said when he saw me.
"Hi. Did you find the guys?" I asked. I may have come out here to get this talk over with, but that didn't mean I was going to jump right in.
"Yeah. They're all still passed out in their rooms."
"Alone?"
"Bobby's got a blonde in with him and Lester's got a brunette. Tank's thankfully alone."
"Thankfully," I agreed, shuddering at the thought of Lula in rhino-mode. "Any of them sporting wedding bands?"
"Not that I could tell," he said, meeting my eye for a moment before patting the couch indicating that I should sit.
"So," I said once I was sitting.
"So," Ranger agreed. Looks like neither of us really know how to deal with this.
"Where do we start?" I asked as I let out a deep breath. I could do this. Maybe.
"How about we try to figure out if we're actually married and go from there?"
"That's probably a good idea. How are we going to do that?"
"Not sure... There are enough wedding chapels in this city that we won't find the right one by guessing. Let's go look in my room for paperwork or something."
"Okay," I agreed. I couldn't think up a better idea.
With that, we both got up from the couch and headed for his room. Ranger went to look around the bathroom and I looked around the room a bit. I looked in the closet, not expecting to find anything and found a plastic bag with my clothes from the night before. Tossing them on the bed, I continued looking.
"Nothing in the bathroom," Ranger said then, coming back into the bedroom.
"I found my clothes from last night," I replied, indicating the bag.
We kept looking around for a moment longer until we both spoke up at the same time.
"You go first," Ranger said.
"I found a dress," I replied, holding up the crumpled scrap of whit fabric I'd found between the bed and nightstand.
"I found flowers," Ranger said, holding up a bouquet of very wilted daisies. "The bouquet holder says 'Moonlight Chapel' so I'll give them a call."
I just nodded my head as I watched Ranger flip though the phone book from the night stand and search for the number. A moment later, I was watching him dial and didn't realize I was holding my breath until I started to feel lightheaded.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to pay attention to what Ranger was saying, but I couldn't hear the words. It was almost like my senses had turned off. In truth it was a bit annoying, because possibly I'd be able to figure out from what he was saying whether or not we were married.
It didn't really matter, because a few moments later, Ranger hung up and sat on the bed next to me and all of my senses suddenly came rushing back to focus sharply on him.
"We're married," he stated.
"I'd figured as much," I admitted.
"Yeah. Me too."
After that, we both just sat there, side by side with our shoulders nearly touching but not quite, and stared into space.
"I don't know about you," I eventually said as I stood, "but I need some chocolate or ice cream before I can deal with this."
"Okay. I think we're both a bit in shock, so how about you order some chocolate cake and some ice cream from room service and I'll go for my run after all. When I get back we'll talk some more."
"Please," I replied. I think I really was in shock, because I wasn't having much of a reaction to this at all. It didn't seem real.
While Ranger changed into running clothes, I made my way back to the main room and ordered my junk. I may have ordered more than he had told me, but I had a feeling I was going to need it.
I had just settled into the couch to wait and was staring into space out when Ranger came through dressed in his running gear. I felt my hormones give a little flutter, but now wasn't the time for that. Ranger and I just locked eyes for a moment, but neither of us said anything because right now there was too much and also nothing at all to say. And then he was out the door.
I went back to staring into space and trying not to think. But thinking occurred. I was married to Batman. I felt myself starting to freak out a little and to be honest, I was a little relieved to finally be reacting. And freaked out felt a lot safer than the warm, fuzzy feelings I'd had earlier. They might be a problem, because I can't lie and say I never fanaticized about being married to Ranger… I love him; it's just that never in a million years did I think it would ever happen. Luckily, my thoughts were quickly interrupted by room service delivering my comfort food.
Parking the cart in front of the couch, I sat back to consider it for a moment. Where to start? It didn't take much deliberation to decide on the ice cream since that would melt. I'd ordered a hot fudge Sunday with chocolate ice cream and with the first bite I felt myself relaxing.
Thirty minutes later, I was leaning back into the couch cushions thinking maybe I should have stopped with two pieces of cake. My stomach really didn't feel so good. A breakfast of sugar based foods probably wasn't the greatest idea while still slightly hung-over. Finding out I was married had done a good job at clearing up a lot of the hangover, but there were still some physical effects that would only go away with time.
I was just beginning to contemplate heading for the bathroom in case I threw up when Ranger came back into the apartment. He was all glistening with sweat and again my hormones perked up and again I squashed them. Although, technically this should be our honeymoon…
Shaking my head to dislodge that particular thought, I asked Ranger how his run was.
"It was good," he said. "Cleared my mind a bit and helped with some of the hangover. I'm just going to go get a quick shower and then we can talk some more, okay?"
"Sure," I said. I really was ready for some more talking because out-right denial just wasn't going to work on this.
As he headed for his room, I sank back into the couch. I didn't have long to wait though, because he was in and out of the bathroom in about five minutes, looking completely normal except his ponytail was wet. How the Hell does he do that?
"So, we're married," I said as he sat down on the couch.
"Yeah, we're married. And in Vegas, it only takes a day for everything to be processed so we're completely legally married by now."
"My mother's going to kill me," I muttered.
"And mine's going to kill me, so at least you won't be alone."
"I never met your mother," I said suddenly. "Or any of your family but Julie for that matter. Oh my God! Julie! What's she going to say? Are we even going to tell anyone?"
"Calm down, Babe. Let's deal with one thing at a time."
We didn't get to deal with those things though, because just about then, Tank came stumbling out of his room.
"You two are friggin' loud," he complained holding his head. A hung-over, 6'6", 325 pound black man stumbling through the room was quite a sight to see.
"Sorry," I said softly.
"You shouldn't have been sleeping that late anyway," Ranger said in a normal voice.
"Shhhh," Tank said, heading for my snack cart and picking up a piece of cake.
Ranger and I just watched transfixed as he ate the whole thing in about three bites.
"Is he going to be okay eating that so early?" I whispered to Ranger.
"Yeah, he's got a stomach of steel," Ranger replied before addressing Tank. "Why'd you come out here in the first place?"
"Oh yeah," he said, looking up. "I don't remember last night so well, but I was checking my phone and found this on the background."
With that, he handed Ranger his phone and I scooted over to see. The background was a picture of Ranger and I in what was clearly a wedding chapel, I was in the white dress and Ranger was leaning me back, kissing me deeply.
"Want to explain?" Tank asked.
"We were actually just trying to figure that all out," Ranger said.
Not saying anything, Tank picked up my hand and then Ranger's. "So you're married?" he asked studying the rings, and then giving Ranger a look.
"Yep. We found the name of the chapel on Steph's bouquet and called and confirmed."
"So, what are you gonna to do?"
"We were still working on that," I replied.
"Well, work fast. Our flight leaves in about two hours," he said.
"What?!" I gasped.
"Yeah, we've gotta finish sobering up, get our skip and get back to Jersey. Don't forget we have that early meeting tomorrow," Tank said, directing that last part at Ranger.
"Shit. We do have to get back," Ranger said. "We have a meeting with some feds over a job Rangeman has been doing. I set it up yesterday after we got the skip since they're already irritated that we've been out of town."
"It's okay," I said, feeling a bit relieved. "We can figure this all out just as well at home."
"Thanks, Babe," he said. "In that case, we better put this off and get ready to head out."
"And you need to wake up Lester and Bobby," Tank said.
"Nope," Ranger replied. "There are naked women in there and since I'm married, the only naked woman I should see is my wife." With that, he pulled me close and placed a kiss in my curls before giving Tank a big grin.
"You married an ass," Tank informed me before heading towards Lester's room.
"I am sorry we can't take care of this now, Babe," Ranger said once we were alone again, "but I really do need to get back."
"I'm fine with going back," I replied. "It's not like there's anything we could do today anyway. And we can deal with it just as well from Trenton."
"Thanks," Ranger said, pressing another kiss into my curls, and then heading to start getting things ready to go home.
I grabbed a cup of chocolate mousse from the cart and headed for my own room. I honestly just didn't want to let the mousse go to waste.
In my room, I started picking things up and shoving them in my bag. The entire packing process didn't take long and before I knew it, I was checking under the bed and in the corners for anything I might have missed. Not finding anything, I plopped down on the bed to rest for a moment.
I'm married to Batman, I thought for what felt like the hundredth time today. I was really beginning to wonder why I wasn't more freaked out about this. Probably it was because I knew there was nothing I could do about it as yet, I decided as I once again studied my rings. Too bad I couldn't remember picking them out.
In fact, I couldn't remember anything from my wedding… not like Ranger and I were going to stay married for the next fifty years, it would just be nice to remember. I'd have to check the guys' phones and see if they had any more pictures. Or better yet, I'd see if Lester of Bobby could remember. Although, if they could remember, they should have been sober enough to stop us.
Deciding I'd check with them anyway, I headed back into the main room where I found Bobby and Lester sitting side by side on the couch looking absolutely miserable.
"How are you guys feeling?" I asked, perching myself on the arm of the couch.
"Umgnh," responded Lester. At least I know he's alive.
"I drank lots of alcohol," Bobby said. "Then my liver converted the alcohol to acetaldehyde and I drank more alcohol and made more acetaldehyde. Some got turned to acetate… Acetate doesn't hurt you. I just drank too much for my liver to keep up and the acetaldehyde built up and I have a hangover."
"No more medi-speak," Lester mumbled.
"You made too much acetaldehyde too," Bobby told him.
"You're an ass-hide," Lester mumbled.
"Acetaldehyde," Bobby corrected.
I realized I wasn't getting anything out of them right now, and I seriously doubted from how they were acting that they were going to remember anything. Going to the bar, I got two glasses and filled them with water for the guys then found a bottle of aspirin from my purse. Taking them to the couch, I gave the guys my offerings and got mumbled thanks.
At a loss as to what to do next, I wandered into Ranger's room to see how he was making out. On his bed, I found weapons cases that he was boxing back up, so I plopped myself on the bed next to them.
"Hey, Hubby," I said.
"Babe," he replied in a voice that made it clear he didn't appreciate the nickname.
"Yes," I asked, fluttering my eyelashes.
"Shouldn't you be freaking out or in denial instead of messing with me?"
Cocking my head to the side, I thought about if for a minute before answering. "Probably, but I'm not, so I decided to make the best of the situation."
"Babe, teasing me isn't the best of the situation," he said, giving me a wolf grin and letting his eyes go dark.
"I believe we took care of that last night," I said, blushing a little.
"Yeah, but neither of us remember, so our marriage may not actually be consummated."
"Consummated?" I asked, trying to arch a brow. "Maybe we should deal with actually being married first."
As much appeal as the idea of consummating with him had, I wasn't sure if I could handle it. I may have been taking the whole 'we're married' thing well, but that was because I wasn't letting my feelings get involved… which was taking a lot of effort. If I consummated, my feelings would get involved. As it was, I was studiously not thinking about the consummation I couldn't remember.
The thing I was most afraid of, was the part of me that loved Ranger. I'd been working very hard to keep those feelings buried, but right now they were trying to escape and go all giddy at the idea of being married to him while realistically I knew this didn't mean anything. Still, that tiny, secret part of me that begged for Ranger to love me back was experiencing some hope and feeding of the whole situation.
These thoughts were getting a bit dangerous, and while I was thinking them Ranger was watching me. I really hope he wasn't reading them as they flew across my face. Maybe he would just think they were weird contortions as I tried to lift an eyebrow.
"Babe," he said, letting me know that he had at least read some of it.
Thankfully, we were interrupted before he could get any further.
"You got the gear packed up and ready to be sent back?" Tank asked. The gear couldn't go on the planes and had been borrowed from the same place Ranger had borrowed a Rangeman on my last trip to Vegas.
"Just about," Ranger replied.
"Oh, and Bomber, Lester and Bobby are asking for you. They just found backgrounds similar to mine on their phones."
"Did you tell them?"
"Nope. Figured I'd leave that up to one of you since you abandoned me to waking them and their dates."
"Where are their dates?" I asked.
"Left," Tank said simply.
That probably means they weren't that hung-over. Maybe they had been at the wedding and would have remembered, I thought, regretting that I had missed them. Oh well, I shrugged it off as I slipped out of Ranger's room before he could question me. I'm sure being questioned by Lester and Bobby wouldn't be nearly as bad.
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A/N: Well, let me know what you think so far! Also, is Steph being too un-reactive? I kind of see her confused, in shock, in denial and in denial that a little part of her is secretly happy… is that how it's sounding? Let me know!