All characters of the original Stephanie Plum series belong to Janet Evanovich.
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Chapter 26
"Hey Stephanie! How would you like to take a shower?" Megan entered the room with a purposeful stride.
"A real shower? Not a sponge bath?" Stephanie was already half way out of the bed. "Can I wash my hair?"
"Yes. No. and Yes." She said, waving a square packet in the air.
"What's that?"
"Waterproof bandage. You've been doing so well with your short walks around the room and to and from the bathroom, that doc says we just need to cover your surgery sight and wound with this little jewel and you're good to go! You won't need one of these after today though, doc's just taking extra precautions."
Stephanie was beyond excited. "Lester, do you know what this means? I can finally wash off all of this tape residue and hospital antiseptic and wash my hair and…shave. Megan, can I shave too?"
"I don't see why not. I'll have a small chair in the shower for you to sit in just in case you can't stand the whole time. You're still weak you know? Don't try to over do it. Do you need anything before you start?"
"No, I have a whole bag of products here. I think I have everything I need."
"Okay. You can head in there anytime. Just let me know first. I think you're going to do all right by yourself, but someone should be in the bathroom with you just in case. It can be me or if you would prefer, Lester."
Stephanie looked over to Lester and gave him a very mischievous smile.
"Beautiful, there's nothing I would love more than to help you take a shower. But contrary to popular belief, I highly value my life. And Ranger would end it in a split second if he knew I was in there with you."
Stephanie was feeling playful. "Oh, come on Lester, what he doesn't know won't hurt him or you." She ran her fingers up his chest and playfully patted his cheek. "It could be fun. You could wash my hair for me."
"Ranger would know. He knows everything. I'll stay right here in the room. If you really need me I'll be there." He crossed his arms and planted himself in a chair. He made brief eye contact with the small surveillance camera hoping that Ranger would get the message. Once again he was challenging him to step up.
"Okay," she sang, "your loss. I bet I'm really good in the shower!"
"You are a sick woman, you know that? Just a couple of days ago you thought I was your brother!"
"I guess it's a good thing that head shrinker doctor is coming to see me." She laughed and turned to Megan. "I'm ready now. Is that okay with you?"
"I'm all yours. Let's get you feeling nice and pretty again. Your new doctor is already here. He's going to come to see you in about an hour."
"Have you met him? What's he like?"
"No, I haven't met him yet. He checked in and then took off to get some lunch."
Stephanie picked out several products from the bag that Ella had sent up days ago, and gingerly waltzed into the bathroom with Megan.
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Ranger's heart raced as he watched his Babe, walk into the bathroom. She was getting stronger; she was starting to remember some things and Jack seemed to have a strong belief that recovery was not only possible, he damn near guaranteed it. The oppressive, negative feelings that had been haunting him for days seemed to be lifting from his soul. He got Lester's message loud and clear. He opened his cell phone and made a call. Stephanie may not be ready to see him yet, but she was going to hear from him. It was time to start fighting back.
Tank walked into the room just as Ranger finished his calls. When he saw the smile on his face he was relieved.
"Good news?" He asked Ranger.
"Damn good news."
"Stock market did that well today? That's good. You're going to need to recoup some of the money you've spent in the last week or so." He teased. "I heard about this." He nodded toward the hole in the wall. "Care to explain?"
"No." He gave Tank an almost grin.
There was a moment of silence as they communicated with familiar facial expressions.
Tank changed the subject. "I take it the new doc was worth the money?"
"Yeah." The grin got slightly larger.
"Well since you're in such a good mood, you won't mind doing some more of this paperwork I brought for you to handle while you sit here on your ass." He dropped a large file on small table. It tilted to one side.
Ranger considered the pile with a bit of remorse. "Tank, you've carried more than your share of the load since Steph's been here. I want you to know that I appreciate it. Why don't you plan a trip? Take Lula and go somewhere for a week. Steph should be out of here soon and I'll have Lester convince her to come back to Haywood. She's going to need care for a while so I'll hire a nurse and I can be back in the office most of the time."
"Sounds good, Ranger, but no hurry. Let's get Steph out of here first, get her settled, then I'll think about taking you up on your offer." He looked over at the monitor and saw Lester sitting in a chair next to an empty bed. "Where is she?"
"Shower."
"She's taking a shower? Is that safe? I mean she could fall down in there. Why the hell is Lester just sitting there?" Tank was getting a little worked up.
"Relax. Megan, her nurse, is in there with her."
"Oh, I guess that's okay then." He said a little sheepishly.
Ranger smiled and gave Tank a friendly punch in the arm. "Doc thinks he can help her. She's already beginning to remember some little things…and before you say anything…yes! I called her parents. They've been updated on her condition. They even came down here yesterday and watched her from the monitor for a while."
"What about her Grandma?" Tank visibly shook at the memory of some of her antics. "Did she come too?"
"No. Frank and Helen decided to tell her that Stephanie was still away on an assignment. They didn't want to upset her before they had some good news to share about her condition."
Tank nodded in satisfaction at those words, pulled up a chair and positioned it next to Ranger's seat at the monitors. He sat for a few moments without saying anything. He just stared at the monitor. Ranger could sense Tank's uneasiness.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Tank rubbed his face with his hand as if he could wipe away the reality of what he needed to tell his friend. The action only served to make Ranger more suspicious.
"I may have been wrong."
"About?"
"When I told you that Bilotti would leave this alone; that we didn't figure into the mix anymore. I may have been wrong."
"Explain."
"Both Cal and Ram have been in contact with informants that claim somebody has been nosing around Trenton looking for information on Bomber."
"What kind of information?"
"Where she lives, hangs out. When the last time she was seen. That kind of shit."
"Could it be Morelli?"
"I don't think so, man. Morelli would call the control room and demand to speak with you or me. He wouldn't waste time asking around on the street. Besides, these informants would know Morelli. No…this guy is an unknown. Someone new to Trenton."
"Damn it."
"Yeah. The guys are pissed too."
"Have them tap into all their contacts. Tell Woody to talk to Connie. Maybe she can find out something with her family connections. We need to know if this guy has found out she's here. If it's Bilotti, I'll contact Alexander Ramos. He's always had a soft spot for Stephanie. Maybe he can convince them to back off."
"Will do." Tank's focus was drawn back to the monitor as the movement of Stephanie exiting the bathroom wrapped in a fluffy robe and a towel wrapped loosely around her head caught his attention. "She looks good." He smiled.
"She looks better than good." Ranger possessively articulated. But his mind was already preoccupied with the new information on yet another threat against his Babe. "I need to talk to Lester."
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Stephanie felt better than she had in days. She had even put on some real clothes that were waiting for her on the bed when she got out of the shower. A freshly washed, black, fitted v-neck t-shirt with a RangeMan logo embroidered above the left breast, a matching bra and panty set and a pair of comfortable black yoga pants. As she exited the bathroom for the second time, there was a large bouquet of the most beautiful tropical flowers sitting on the table. The cut crystal vase sparkled under the intense halogen lights that Megan had turned on in order to apply a fresh bandage to her wound.
"Lester, did you bring me these flowers? They're beautiful." She threw her arms around his waist and gave him a strong hug.
"No, Steph, they're from Ranger. There's a card."
"From Ranger?" She pulled the card from the arrangement and read it. She smiled slightly and sighed. "Did he arrange for these clothes too?" She motioned to her outfit.
Lester nodded. "He had Ella send them up this morning."
"It's like having a secret admirer." She said after reading the card again. "He sends me these nice gifts and his note is very sweet, but I have no idea who he is."
"You can change that. It's up to you. You know that don't you? He's only staying away now because it's what you want."
She plopped down on the fresh sheets that had been put on her bed as she dressed. "I know. It's just…I'm afraid…I don't…what if…Ahhh! I know I'm hurting him." She said in frustration.
"He doesn't want you to do anything you're not ready for. He's a very patient man, Sweetie."
"He must be. I can't possibly be worth all the trouble and pain I've caused him."
Just then the door opened and a man dressed in khakis and a navy and tan striped button down shirt walked into the room. He was average height, his caramel brown skin was smooth and flawless and his eyes were warm and friendly. As he advanced toward the bed he carried himself with a certain amount of self-importance that wasn't quite arrogant but it reflected a hint of pride that inspired respect. He had a notebook tucked under one arm.
"Ms. Plum?"
"Yes, I'm Stephanie Plum." It was the first time she had called herself by that name. It still sounded unfamiliar, but she had promised Lester yesterday that she would try it out.
"Hello." He extended his hand to her in greeting. "I'm Jack Winchester." He turned toward Lester. "You must be Mr. Santos."
Lester shook his hand as well. "Good to meet you doc."
"Ms. Plum…"
"Please call me Stephanie."
"Okay, Stephanie. Dr. Payne asked me to meet with you. Is it all right if we talk now?"
"Listen, Beautiful, I'll get out of your way." Lester felt Stephanie's nervous hesitation at the mention of his departure. He leaned over, kissed her on the cheek and tucked a loose curl behind her ear. "I'll be close by. Don't worry, everything will be fine. Okay?"
Stephanie forced a nod of agreement. 'Yeah, I'll be fine."
Lester stepped out and headed for the room down the hall where he knew Ranger would be glued to the monitor. Jack took the seat next to the bed.
"Lester told me you were coming." She looked down nervously. "You're a shrink. Right?"
Jack chuckled. "Yeah, I'm a shrink. Does that bother you?"
"I was worried at first. I thought maybe Curtis…I mean…Dr. Payne, thought I was crazy; but Lester says you're here to help me with my memory."
"That's right. It might surprise you to learn, Stephanie, that most of my patients are not crazy. Mostly they're people like you who have suffered a great trauma or injury and they need my help to re-evaluate their reality."
"Re-evaluate their reality." She repeated. "Is that a fancy way of saying they need a ride back from La La Land?"
"Is that where you think you are? La La Land?"
"Maybe. Or some place like it. I don't have many real memories. My mind seems to be stuck in some kind of alternate universe. I've created a whole world filled with people who, I believe, I love and care for, but according to what I've been told, they don't really exist. I guess you could call that being in La La Land."
"But most of them do exist, Stephanie. Just not as you remember them."
"What do you mean?"
Jack opened his notebook and pulled a pen out of his pocket. "Well, according to my information, you thought Lester was your brother. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"Well, Lester is real; he's just not your brother." Jack sat back in his chair. "Let me ask you something. Is the Lester you thought of as your brother, the same man, character wise, personality wise, and appearance wise, as the man you now know of as Lester your friend and coworker?"
Stephanie wrinkled her nose at the complicated question, but slowly nodded. "Yes. He's just as friendly, handsome, loving and funny as I thought my brother was. As my brother, I knew he would do anything for me. As my friend, he's proved it."
"The fact that you thought he was your brother is a minor detail when you recognize that the rest of what you knew and know about him is the same. That doesn't qualify to me as enough proof that you've taken a train to La La Land."
"But what about me thinking I have a son, and a dead husband?"
"I don't know yet, but didn't' you name them both after someone you are very close to? Someone you have an intimate relationship with.
"Ranger?"
Jack nodded.
"I don't have any memories of him." She admitted sadly.
"My guess is that when you begin to recall more about your real relationship with Ranger, you will discover amazing similarities between him and your 'son' and 'husband'. You probably know more about Ranger through your memories of them, than you realize."
Stephanie had never thought of that. She stared out the window as her mind drifted toward the possibilities. "When I'm awake at night and have time to think privately, I'm always comforted by my memories of Ric. They make me feel loved and safe, like I'm swaddled in a blanket of total devotion." A few tears started to form in her eyes and she quickly reached to halt them from falling. "But then Lester's words about the truth inch their way to the front of my brain and my little perfect world is shattered…and I feel lost again." Stephanie looked up with a hopeful appeal. "You think that the qualities I put in my imaginary Ric are based on the true qualities that I found and experienced with Ranger?"
"I think it is highly likely."
Stephanie wanted those words to be true. She wanted to feel the way she felt when she remembered Ric. She wanted somebody, real to love her like that. "Why can't I remember him? If I have such a wonderful and completely ideal relationship with someone like that, why is it so lost in here?" She pointed to her head in frustration and the tears, that she had so ardently fought, began to fall.
Jack reached for the box of tissues and handed one to her, then tucked the entire box securely within her reach on the bed. When he spoke, his words were warm and reassuring. "Stephanie, you have been through a great deal recently. We have a lot to talk about. Those memories are there and we willfind them, but I think we've done enough for today. I can see you're very tired." He picked up her chart from the side of the bed. "They've been giving you Zolpidem. Have you been having trouble sleeping?"
"Sometimes." She sniffed. "I actually sleep a lot, but it isn't always restful. I have dreams. They're…unsettling."
"How are they unsettling?"
"I don't remember most of them. I just wake up and feel confused, sometimes frightened, but most of the time I feel like I'm missing something important and I can't remember what it is. It's very frustrating."
"I'll be back tomorrow morning and we'll work on that." He put the chart back on the hook. "How would you like to go home?"
Stephanie's head shot up in surprise. "Really?"
"Yeah. You don't really need to be here anymore for your injuries and I can continue working with you anywhere. I'll talk to Curtis, but I'm pretty sure we can get you out of here by tomorrow afternoon."
"I would like that." She sniffed and grabbed another tissue.
"Get some rest. I'll be back in the morning." Jack re-pocketed his pen, closed his notebook and headed to the door.
"Okay." Stephanie slumped back into her bed and rolled over to rest the uninjured side of her head against the pillow. Between the physical exertion of her shower and the emotional stress of her time with Dr. Winchester, she was exhausted. With the last of her energy she leaned over to the beautiful vase of flowers, deeply inhaled their fragrance, picked up the card and clutched it to her heart. She smiled as she read it once again.
Babe,
Remember that I am always here for you.
You are my love, my breath and my light.
Yours for eternity, Carlos
As she drifted off to sleep she recalled images of being on an airplane. There was laughter and she was happy. She remembered a bedroom. She was kissing someone…dark hair…hands. The hands were touching her everywhere…there was an almost overwhelming sensation of passion and being loved.
A few hours passed and Stephanie was awakened by the smell of Italian food. She slowly opened her eyes and focused on the tray being rolled up to the side of the bed.
"Beautiful, if you hadn't gotten up in the next few minutes, I would have gladly devoured this food for you. Ella treats you better than almost anyone else. She sent you her famous lasagna, a tasty salad and homemade bread. I had to fight off everyone in the hallway getting this in here."
Stephanie sat up and looked at the huge portion of food in front of her. "There's more here than I can possibly eat. Help yourself."
"Actually, I have my own." He lifted another lid and an identical serving of the lasagna and another salad were underneath. Ella sent enough of this food for everyone to have some."
"You mean Ranger?"
He looked at her with a wary expression. "Yeah…and the other guys."
"The other guys?" She questioned. "You mean other guys, as in RangeMan guys?"
"Yes." He took a bite of lasagna.
"Lester, why would there be 'other guys' here?"
"I'm glad you asked that question, Beautiful, cause there are a few things you need to know and some decisions we need to make."
Stephanie set her fork down and looked at Lester with concern. "What is it?"
"Not a chance, Sweetie. You pick that fork back up and eat first. Then we'll talk. Megan's orders are for you to eat at least half of what's on that plate or she won't bring in the special dessert."
Stephanie smiled. "Special dessert?"
"Oh yeah, and I've seen it. Believe me, you want it. You want it bad!"
"Don't tease me like that Lester, what is it?"
"EAT!"
Stephanie picked up her fork and took a hearty bite of lasagna. In a matter of minutes she had eaten most of the salad, a piece of bread and half the lasagna on the plate. "Okay." She demanded. "I was a very good girl. What's for dessert?"
Lester stood up and walked out of the room. Seconds later, Megan followed him back in carrying a large plate covered with a silver dome. "Lester tells me you're ready for this." She carefully set the plate down and with all the flourish of a seasoned server at a five star restaurant, lifted the dome to reveal a delectable chocolate pie.
"Ohhh it's magnificent!" Stephanie ogled the dessert with eager eyes.
Megan quickly cut a piece and transferred it to one of the smaller plates on Stephanie's tray. She handed her a fork. "You have to try it." She exclaimed. "Your Carlos had three of these delivered late this afternoon. One is for you and the other two are for all of us at the nurse's station. The boxes had the name of a restaurant in Trenton and were labeled 'Chocolate Silk Paradise Pie'. It must have cost him a fortune to have it delivered here."
Stephanie took a bite and her eyes closed in ecstasy. "Oh my god!"
"I know! It's positively…
"Orgasmic!" Stephanie exclaimed over Megan's words.
"Yeah," she sighed. "That's kinda what we all thought too."
Lester was stunned. He knew most women loved chocolate, but he had never quite seen this response to it before. He lifted his fork and loaded up a bite for himself. "It's good." He factually stated.
"Just good?" Megan questioned in disbelief.
"Okay, it's really good." He admitted, taking another bite. "But I wouldn't call it orgasmic."
"Just what would be good enough for you to call orgasmic?" Megan put her hands on her hips in a demanding gesture.
Lester gave her one of his irresistible grins. "Well, Gorgeous, it certainly wouldn't have anything to do with food. Unless, of course, you were wearing it." He waggled his eyebrows at her. "I'm kinda partial to the real thing."
Megan didn't blush. She didn't even bat an eye at that suggestion. She simply looked Lester straight in the eye, stepped right into his personal space and quipped. "¿Está usted hablar? ¿O está usted dispuesto a poner su boca donde tu mente es? " (Are you all talk? Or are you willing to put your mouth where your mind is?)
She turned on her heel, smiled at Stephanie and spoke as she headed toward the door. "Enjoy your pie, Steph. I'll be back with your meds in thirty minutes."
She was gone and Lester was still standing with his jaw dropped half way to the floor. Stephanie was equally stunned. Although she had no idea what Megan had just said, she had never before seen Lester rendered speechless.
"Les?"
Lester shook his head as if to bring himself back to the present. "Yeah, Beautiful?"
"What just happened?" She giggled.
"I'll be damned." Lester said in amazement. "I think I just got myself a date with Nurse Sexy!" His slight smile grew wide at the prospect. "Remind me to ask Ranger where he got this pie."
When Lester finally returned to earth after his little encounter with Megan, he took his seat next to the bed. Stephanie was licking the last traces of pie from her fork and was looking quite satisfied.
"I'm all fed and full. Now what is it that we need to decide?"
"Doc says they're going to release you tomorrow."
"Stephanie grinned. "Yeah isn't it great?"
"It is great news. Now we have to talk about where you want to go when you leave. But before you make a decision, there is something you need to know."
"What?"
"Since you've been here, you have had round the clock security from RangeMan. There was concern that Giordano's family would try to retaliate for your part in his capture. Because of that threat, there are at least two guards posted right outside your door 24/7. The staff that has access to you has been limited to a handful of approved nurses and doctors, and there has almost always been one of us inside this room with you."
Stephanie looked up in shock. "How is that possible? I haven't seen anyone but you in here."
"That's because I'm the only one with you when you're awake."
"You mean when I'm asleep perfect strangers come in and watch me?" Her tone was annoyed and offended.
"No! They're not strangers. The only ones who come in here besides me are Hector, Bobby and…Ranger."
"Ranger comes in here and watches me sleep?"
"Yes. You have to be protected."
Stephanie really didn't know what to make of this information. On the one hand she felt a little violated. On the other it was kind of nice to know that she was being so well protected.
"And Bobby and Hector…I know them too?"
"They both work at RangeMan of course. Bobby is our company medic and he's treated you more times than I can count. He's the one that first treated you when you had your accident. Hector and you have a special relationship. He's very protective of you. He doesn't make friends easily, but you and he have always just kind of clicked."
Stephanie slowly nodded.
"When you leave here, your protection needs to continue."
"You said I need to make a decision about where to go. What are my options?"
Well, ideally, we would like for you to go back to Trenton and stay at RangeMan. It's the most secure facility we have."
"You mean I would stay in an office building?"
"RangeMan has apartments. You would stay in one of those."
"What about my house…or I mean…the house I was living in here in Philadelphia? Could I be safe there?"
"It's not as easy to protect. It doesn't have the same level of security, but if that's where you want to go, we can protect you there. But you have to know up front that at least two of us would move into the house with you. It would probably be me and Bobby, so he could keep an eye on your recovery, as well as provide protection. Hector would be around as well and there would be men posted outside doing surveillance."
"What about Ranger?"
"He could be there too if that's what you want."
"Did he stay with me there…before the accident?"
"Yes."
"Did we…did he…I mean…did we stay in the same room?" Stephanie nervously looked down at her suddenly busy fingers.
"Yes."
That confirmed the answer to another question that she had spent some time thinking about. Some of her most recent bits of memory recall had led her to believe that her relationship with Ranger was, most likely, quite physical.
"Can I think about this? When do you have to know my decision?"
"In the morning. You will probably be released tomorrow afternoon. We have to have enough time to make all the arrangements for either place you choose."
"Lester, where did I live before all of this happened."
"You have an apartment in Trenton."
"Did I live there alone?"
"Yes."
"Could I go back there if I wanted to?"
"Absolutely not! That place can't be protected, and besides, it only has one bedroom. You'd have to share your bed with me, Beautiful…and Bobby!"
"Got it." She responded. "The apartment in Trenton is definitely out."
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Author Note: This was supposed to be the last chapter, but when all was said and done (literally), the chapter was over 10,000 words. So I split it into two chapters. The good news is that the final chapter (really this time) has been written and will be posted on Sunday morning. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know and have a wonderful weekend.