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This chapter hasn't been beta'd so please forgive my mistakes. I did my best to catch them all.
Lifetime of Love
Chapter 11
My last day in Greenville was a sad day for me. I woke up early and cleaned every inch of the house and packed up all the clothes that I had collected since I moved there. The closest mall was 45 minutes away, so I didn't do a whole lot of shopping. I would need to hit the mall soon after returning to Trenton. I never knew that I would go through shopping withdraws.
I only spoke to Ranger once since I first called him almost a week ago. I realized that my old apartment would probably have occupants and I really didn't want to live there anymore anyway. Too many memories. Some of them good...most of them bad. I explained my dilemma to Ranger and asked for his help in finding me another apartment to live in. I still haven't told him about the baby, but I did ask him to find me at least a two bedroom place. I knew that he would come through for me.
He found the perfect apartment two days later and emailed me all the details. I still had some savings, so I could use it a few months until I found a job. There was no way I could go back to chasing fugitives again. Ranger offered me a job at RangeMan, but I refused - for now. I needed to find out how this thing with Zero was going to work out. He understood and told me the offer was always there.
Joe was excited that I was coming home. He told me not to worry about furnishing the apartment. He wanted to take care of it for me, kind of like a welcome home present. He even told me he would take care of decorating the nursery. It amazed me how supportive he had been. According to Joe, everything was ready and just waiting for me to get there.
My dad knew my plans and was excited as well. I had to make an appearance at my parents for dinner the day after I got back. The big secret would be out then, but I was ready to get on with my life. I couldn't hide forever and I was not ashamed of the little peanut growing in me.
Speaking of the peanut, he had been quite active that last day. I think I had been inside too long and he wanted some fresh air. I wasn't joking when I said that he calmed down when I walked outside. It was past time for my lunch, so I grabbed a jacket and walked down to my favorite diner for the last time.
As usual, CJ sat in his spot; an empty stool sat next to him. I smiled and plopped down beside him.
"Hi sweetness." I laughed. I was going to miss this old man.
"Hey old man. You started without me." I looked at his half eaten sandwich and he just shrugged.
"I gotta eat 'em when I can. Who knows when the old ticker is going to blow out. I can't waste time waiting on your skinny butt." I laughed. He always joked about my weight. I guess he liked a more voluptuous woman.
"There's nothing skinny about me anymore. I've got the peanut expanding my waist line every day." He rubbed my belly and I placed my order to the waitress who obviously hadn't worked there very long. She didn't know me or what I liked to eat. Sheesh.
"So, you ready to head home tomorrow?" CJ looked sad, but there was a sparkle in his eye.
"I am. Everything's ready for my big return, so all I have to do is make the ten-hour drive. I'm excited to see everyone again." He nodded and took a sip of his shake.
"You know, I'm going to miss you coming in here, sweetness. You've been the highlight of my days for the past almost eight months." I blushed and leaned over to rest my head on his shoulder.
"I'm going to miss you too. I owe you a huge thank you. You're the reason I picked up that phone a week ago. You're a good man CJ. Don't let anyone tell you different." I felt him kiss my head and rest his head on mine. I really was going to miss him.
"Enough of this sappiness. Your sandwiches are getting cold and your shake is melting." I laughed and dug into my meal, after all, it would be my last. We enjoyed our lunch together and before I knew it, it was time for me to go. I wasn't walking the park that day because I had too much stuff to do at the house.
I stood up off the bar stool and went to put my jacket on. The place was packed, as usual, so I had to wait for the waitress to come back to where I was sitting to pay for my lunch. CJ and I were both waiting patiently when we heard the front door bell chime and someone scream.
I turned around to see what was wrong and saw a man wearing a ski mask enter the restaurant with a shotgun in one hand and a pistol in the other.
"Everybody get the fuck down, NOW." He yelled and pointed the guns around at everyone sitting in the restaurant. Most everyone hit the ground fast, but I was too slow and I caught the maniacs eye.
"You..." He pointed the shotgun at me. "Get over here. You're my way out of here." I hesitated. There was no way I was going to become his hostage. I had a baby to think about. He didn't like my hesitation though.
"You act like you have a choice in this. Get your fat ass over here now or I'll shoot you in the stomach and kill the bastard child that you're carrying." I let a sob escape as I slowly walked over to where the guy was standing. CJ kept his eyes on me the entire time.
"Everyone empty their wallets and you...bitch behind the counter, empty the drawer." Everyone shuffled to do as he asked. I pulled out the cash from my pocket. Luckily I didn't carry much. He pressed the gun into my stomach and made me walk around the small diner with him collecting the pilfered loot.
When everything was collected, he drug me to the back door and glanced out. Of course there were already cops surrounding the place. I'm sure the cars in the drive-through saw what was happening inside and called them. The guy was not a very bright criminal.
"Shit, fuck, damn! Okay. I'm glad I have you. They'll never shoot a pregnant lady. It must be my lucky day." He wrapped his arm around my waist and pressed the gun into my stomach again. I was his human shield.
"Of course, I don't have a problem killing you as soon as you become unnecessary. Are you ready to die?" The tears spilled out of my eyes and I shook my head.
"Well that's too damn bad, but I might just use you for a little fun before ending your life. You're kinda sexy aren't you?" I let out a sob as he licked his disgusting tongue up my face, just like Alvarez did.
"Hey. Why don't you let the lady go?" CJ was standing close to where we were. A glance around the restaurant showed me that everyone else had escaped through the front door. Way to be aware of your surroundings Steph.
"What's it to you old man? Is she your piece of ass?" CJ didn't respond and didn't make a move, he just stared into my eyes.
"Let her go and I'll let you live. Hurt her and you will die a very slow and painful death." As I looked at CJ, the sweet old man disappeared and very familiar stature appeared. His body language and blank face reminded me of the Merry Men and he looked ready to kill.
"Who's going to kill me? You old man?" The masked man scoffed and peaked out the back door at the cops. With his attention diverted, CJ's small nod to me let me know what he wanted me to do. The gun was still pressed into my stomach, but his body was turned so I could easily twist and get out of his grasp.
I said a silent prayer to keep me and my baby safe and nodded back to CJ. He was ready and so was I.
Everything happened so fast. The second I started to turn and fall to the ground, CJ leaped forward in attack mode. The attacker was distracted enough that he was caught off guard by the sudden movements. I heard CJ's body make contact and then the sound of a gunshot right before the sickening sound of bones breaking. My face was planted in the floor and I had my hands wrapped around my stomach as I.
After a few seconds, I heard a groan and turned my head to see CJ laying with blood seeping out of his chest. I glanced at the attacker, but his neck was turned the opposite direction of his body. I guess that was the breaking bones sound I heard.
I scrambled quickly over to where CJ was bleeding on the floor and pressed my hand over the wound. I started yelling for the cops to come in and help me. There was so much blood and I couldn't get it stopped.
I could feel the tears running down my face but couldn't do anything to stop them. CJ raised his hand to wipe them away and rested his hand on my face.
"It's okay sweetness. Don't be sad, this was my choice. My life for yours. Now go live your life and remember me." His hand dropped from my face and he stopped breathing. Finally the cops came in with the EMT's and they started working on CJ, but it was too little too late. They called the time of death and then left so the CSI team could come in.
They kept me there for hours answering questions. I was so tired and still covered in CJ's blood. I wanted to go home and shower and cry for my friend who was still laying on the floor covered by a white sheet. The police were done with me, but I still had to wait for someone to drive me home. There was no way I was going to walk home after what happened earlier that day.
I was spaced out staring and rubbing my belly when I heard the most amazing voice.
"Babe?" I looked around frantically, surely he wasn't here. When my eyes traveled to the door I saw him. Ranger was standing there with a cop trying to keep him out of the crime scene. I immediately jumped off my stool and ran to his arms. The past was forgotten. I didn't care about anything except feeling the safety that only he gave me.
The cop took the hint and left us alone. He held me in his arms as I cried. I would hear the occasional whispers of Spanish in my ear and felt his hands soothing me.
"How...why...?" I couldn't even form whole sentences. I felt him sigh.
"When I found out a week ago where you were staying, we began monitoring the police bands. When we got report about a robbery and hostage situation at a local diner, something told me that you were in trouble and I needed to get here." Well that explains why he's here, but how in the hell did he get here so fast?
"So you just hopped on the bat-jet and parachuted out?" I felt him chuckle.
"No. The company jet landed at a small private airstrip outside of town. I borrowed a car and drove straight here." That sounded more realistic I guess.
"Thank you." I whispered into his chest.
"No price, Babe. I will always come when you need me." I knew he was telling me the truth. He never failed to rescue me.
"Can you take me home? I am in desperate need of a shower." I pulled away and he got to look at me for the first time. I saw the second he realized I was way pregnant. His eyes widened and his half-smile came out.
"Sure, Babe. Let's get you home and then you can tell me about that stomach." He led me out of the restaurant and into a black (of course) BMW. I gave him directions to the house I was staying in and opened the door.
"I'm going to update Haywood and Joe about the situation. You shower. We'll work on dinner when you get done." I gave him a puzzled look. Why would he update Joe?
"Morelli and I have reached an understanding and he was worried when I called him earlier about you." I was shocked. The two Alpha-males came to an understanding? Amazing! He gave me a small eye roll and pushed me gently toward the bathroom. I guess his ESP was still working.
I could hear him on the phone while I gathered my clothes and started the shower. I wanted to wash the blood off of me and it ran down the drain along with my tears.
I used every ounce of hot water available that night. I scrubbed my skin until it was raw, but I still felt dirty. My clothes from today got tossed into the trash and I dressed in lounge pants and a T-shirt. When I walked back into the living room, Ranger was sitting on the couch with a pizza on the coffee table. I didn't think I was hungry until I smelled the delicious aroma of pepperoni, sausage and cheese.
I plopped down on the couch and grabbed a piece of pizza. He chuckled as I shoved it into my mouth and moaned at the taste. He let me eat in silence, which I was thankful for. I didn't want to talk about what happened and I didn't want to think about my friend dying. When I ate all that I could, I knew the silence was over.
"Was that good, Babe?" Ranger smirked at me and I rolled my eyes and nodded.
"You ready to talk?" I sighed and shrugged. I really didn't want to, but I knew I needed to.
"Tell me about the baby." Ranger reached out and placed a hand on my stomach. My son chose that time to kick Ranger's hand. His eyes widened and he laughed.
"He's due in early November, but my doctor thinks he'll come early. I'm hoping for a Halloween baby." I smiled and rubbed my stomach.
"Zero's?" I nodded and surprisingly Ranger didn't look mad.
"That man loves you." I looked at his dark eyes. "He felt terrible about what happened with Alvarez and when you left, it broke him. I've known Zero a long time and we've seen some terrible shit together, but I've never seen him that broken before." I felt a tear escape and it was flicked off by Ranger. I didn't mean to break him. I was hurt and confused.
"I'm sorry I left, but I didn't know what else to do." Ranger wrapped me in his arms.
"I know Babe. It's what you do when you're scared and hurt, you run. I expected it. I just didn't know you would be so good at it. We knew Joe knew where you were and talked to you so we honestly didn't look that hard. I wanted to give you the space that you needed." Hearing that made me feel a little better.
"When Zero read your letter, something in him snapped and he called our handler and volunteered for whatever they had. He said he needed to redeem himself. I tried to stop him from going, but nothing I said worked." I couldn't help the shudder that escaped from me.
"Do you think he'll ever forgive me? Do you think he'll want us when he comes back?" That was my biggest fear. Maybe he didn't want kids. Maybe he couldn't forgive me for leaving.
"Well, he doesn't know about the baby; but I can honestly say that he still wants you. He's called me a few times while on the mission and we've talked. He thinks you won't ever forgive him. You messed that boy all up." Ranger laughed and I slapped his chest.
"I do forgive him. A smart man helped me to see that even though the relationship started on a lie, it doesn't mean the feelings we both had were false. I know, in my case, the feelings were real and still are." Ranger let out a long sigh.
"I'm sorry, Ranger." I snuggled into his chest again letting the warmth and security surround me.
"What are you sorry for? Falling in love with someone else? I'm happy for you, Babe. I could never give you everything you need. I love you, but I'm not willing to love you completely. I'm glad that you found someone who makes you happy. I wasn't thrilled in the beginning because I thought he was just taking advantage of you, but seeing him after the truth came out and knowing what I know now, I'm thrilled that you have him." He placed a kiss on top of my head. "I'm going to miss this though. This closeness that we have. I've become dependent on you. I need you in my life in someway, Babe. Please don't shut me out completely." His voice sounded so sad that it broke my heart. I raised my head up and looked deep into his eyes.
"You will never lose me from your life. I need you just as much as you need me. The kisses and flirting will have to stop, but I don't ever want to lose you as a friend." His face filled with relief and I stretched to place a small kiss on his lips. We didn't let it go any further than just a peck, but it was sweet. It was almost like a goodbye kiss.
"So tell me what happened today. I got a report from the cops, but I don't understand who CJ is to you." I smiled and told Ranger the story of CJ and I from the very beginning. When I got the events today, I paused and let the tears fall.
"He gave his life for mine. The robber was going to rape and kill me and CJ sacrificed himself for me. I would probably be dead right now if it wasn't for him." Ranger hugged me tighter.
"He used to be a Ranger. When he was active, his code name was Protettore. It means protector in Italian. He died doing what he did best. Protecting people who can't protect themselves." I lost it when I heard this. CJ never once mentioned his military career in our talks, but I realized he at least had some background when I saw him face my attacker. He looked just like Ranger and the guys when they were in takedown mode.
"I'll never be able to thank him." I cried harder.
"You can thank him by honoring him. They're giving him a full military funeral in two days. We can stay and go if you'd like." I nodded. I wanted to go and say goodbye the right way.
That night snuggled in Ranger's arms, I thought about the tattoo that Zero has above his heart. It says the same thing that CJ said to me. 'My life for yours'. It makes me proud that there are people out there that are willing to die protecting perfect strangers. I decided that night to honor them by living a life worthy of their sacrifice.
A/N - So did Ranger redeem himself enough for you all? I had originally thought about making him a bad guy in this story, but decided that he needed to support Steph instead of being an ass. Hope you all agree with me. : )