Freedom

Chapter 13

Previously

I laid Steph in the very back of my Bronco so Bobby could work on her. Besides the metal in her side, she had glass fragments on her clothes and in her hair, small cuts on her arms and she was breathing in short, shallow breaths, her heart beat was weak.

"Babe… wake up babe." Why was she still out? Bobby put some smelling salts to her nose and she stirred. "Come on babe, open those gorgeous blue eyes for me… please?"

She still wasn't responding. Shit! "Bobby, call Dr. Albritt. Tell him we're coming in hot." Dr. Albritt was the company doctor from my time with the Rangers. He would handle our special ops cases that needed to be handled below the radar so to speak. He has his own private practice in Princeton now which is only a fifteen minute drive from our location. Between him and Bobby, they would be able to treat Steph.

RPOV

The drive felt painstakingly slow although I knew Tank was driving as fast as safely possible. I stayed in the back of the Bronco with Steph, whispering is Spanish that I was with her, that I loved her, that she was my life, and to hang on. Fuck! She better make it! If we had gotten there even five minutes later, she would have blown up in that truck. If Vince wasn't already dead from that explosion, I would have happily killed him with my bare hands.

Dr. Albritt's clinic is an old mansion remodeled and reconstructed into a clinic with rooms for overnight patients as well as traditional exam rooms, and rooms for traumas, surgery and x-rays. Steph was going in anonymously and the building would be fully protected by Rangeman.

He was waiting for us outside with a gurney and two nurses. Bobby came around and picked her up and out of my arms, careful to not jar the metal in her side that he placed gauze around and taped in place. Steph was rushed inside, directly to the surgery room. She was prepped and after Dr. Albritt, his staff and Bobby scrubbed in, she was in surgery to remove the metal and mend whatever it had damaged going in.

I sat in the waiting room with Lester and Tank, the rest of my men taking posts at every entrance as well as outside on the perimeter of the vast property. We just got word that Hal and Hector were on their way. They were shot with a tranquilizer gun and unconscious until just a while ago. One of Vince's specialties was his ability to take out numerous targets with a tranquilizer gun in rapid succession. It was something we'd used him for during takedowns when we needed to immobilize bodyguards of our target. After a quick briefing with the cops, Hal and Hector were free to go and nothing would keep them from coming to her to make sure she was going to make it and offer their support.

TPOV

I've never seen Ranger so distraught. After much pacing, he eventually sat in the corner of the small waiting area, perfectly still, hunched over with his elbows on his knees, his head in his hands. I went over and put my hand on his shoulder. He jumped up like I was attacking him and pinned me to the wall.

"What the fuck, man?" I said, caught off guard.

He looked at me like I'd just hit him and started pacing again.

"Ranger, you've got to get it under control. She's going to be alright. Bobby won't let anything happen to her." He didn't see Hal and Hector walk in behind him.

"Do you know that for a fact?" He looked to the ceiling and screamed, and animalistic, injured animal scream. "Aaaaaauuuugh! I can't fucking lose her. She's everything…"

He dropped into the nearest chair, defeated, and spoke so I could barely hear him. "This whole situation is so fucked up! I have been in combat situations, third world countries that I didn't think I'd make it out of, but none of them were so fucked up as this. None of them were ever personal! She just became mine. She's my fiancé…"

Hal, who had just walked in with Hector from the hallway behind Ranger, sat beside him. "Ranger, we are so sorry. Vince snuck into the shop through the back service entrance and tranq'd us both at the same time. He was so fast, by the time I saw Hector grab his neck, I was shot too. We had no reaction time. This is our fault, if you want to take your frustrations out on someone, it should be us. We fucked up and if …"

Ranger jumped up and shook his fist at Hal. "Don't! Don't even fucking say it! She can't die!" I've never seen the always composed and in control Ranger lose it like this.

Bobby appeared from the direction of the surgery room, sweat soaking gown. He took his hat off and walked toward Ranger. "She's ready for you to go back."

"She's ok? What aren't you telling me, Bobby?"

"The piece of metal went clean in, missing her major organs by mere centimeters. She's got the most uncanny luck of anyone I know. She's going to be fine. She's all closed up and we've got her on IV antibiotics to make sure she doesn't get an infection. Go on back man."

Ranger took off running for the back room where Steph was. Thank fuck she was going to be alright or there'd be hell to pay and nothing would get in our way, badge or no badge.

"What weren't you telling him, Brown. What's wrong?"

"She's still unconscious. Of course we had to sedate her for the surgery so she wouldn't feel anything, but in post-op, we couldn't get her to wake up. She has a concussion from hitting her head pretty bad on the asphalt when the truck rolled. We're lucky she used her seat belt. It should be just a matter of time. I've got to go back and check on her. I'll keep you up-to-date."

RPOV

Mio Dios. Today was close. I could've lost her. I'm a trained mercenary for fuck's sake and I've been brought to my knees by this fiery, passionate woman. Sitting at her bedside, holding her small hand, she looks so frail and pale lying in the hospital bed. This is why I never let her in before. I couldn't bear to lose… but that is selfish. This isn't one of my enemy's doing. This is Morelli. I've never let someone in my heart, my soul until her. If she were taken from me, from my life, my heart may as well be ripped out as well. But with great risk comes great reward and if we only had the time we've had so far together, I'm already a far better person for it.

I heard her heart monitor increase slightly, she must be dreaming. "Babe, please… show me those beautiful blues. Please open your eyes for me." I felt her hand twitch in mine. She's trying to get to me. "That's it, babe. Keep fighting. I'm right here, just fight through and come back to me."

Her eyelashes were fluttering, her eyelids must feel very heavy with all the effort she's having to put into it. She went still. Figuring she went back to sleep, I laid my head on her stomach, praying in Spanish for her return to me. Next thing I knew a hand was ever so softly stroking my head and when I looked up, Steph was looking back at me. "Babe?" I couldn't stop the tear that spilled out of my eye.

"Carlos, oh Carlos, it's ok. I'm here. I won't leave you…" Now we both had tears streaming down our face.

"Oh, Babe, I came so close to losing you…"

Dr. Albritt walked in with Bobby. "How's my patient doing? Awake I see. Let's check your vitals." He spent the next twenty minutes checking the incision, her vitals, her pupils, and reflexes, determining she was progressing well. By the time he was done, Steph was back asleep. "Bobby, if you're up for it, I don't see any reason why you can't watch over Ms. Plum at Rangeman for the rest of her recovery." He motioned for me to step out into the hall for a personal discussion while Bobby left to gather supplies he'd need.

"I don't normally release patients in her condition, but I know Brown here will take good care of all of Ms. Plum's needs and has all the equipment necessary for her care. I'd like the bag of antibiotics to empty before she leaves, and I have a couple of prescriptions that will need to be filled for her."

"Thank you Dr. Albritt, I'm in your debt for taking care of Steph for me."

"Nonsense, you've saved my hide more times than I can count. It pleases me to finally start returning the favor. I'll be in town tomorrow to check on her, I trust I won't have a problem getting in your building?"

"Never. I'll tell the front desk to expect you. Brown filled you in on our situation?"

"He did. If you need any help, between the two of us, I'm sure we have enough connections to put this bastard away for life."

"That's the goal. We're close to seeing it happen."

"I'll have the nurse disconnect all her tubes and wires. Then you can change Ms. Plum change into some scrubs I've placed in the bathroom, and you'll be free to go. Brown has care instructions. She needs to be woken every two hours, incision needs to be kept dry until stitches come out in five days and make sure she doesn't overdue. She can resume light work outs, yoga, the treadmill, etc. in a week. Keep her safe, she's a miracle."

"That she is."

I was talking with Tank about leaving when I heard Steph scream, "Carlos!" I bolted back in Steph's room as I saw her struggling to get up. "Hal and Hector, we've got to find…"

"Babe, they're in the waiting room. They're anxious to see you're alright."

"Thank god. Carlos, where are we, I don't recognize this hospital. Why am I here?"

"Let's get you home, Babe. I won't relax until you're safe in my arms, in my building. I'll explain everything to you then."

"Carlos, I… I almost lost you, didn't I... "

"No, Babe, we're meant to be together. Morelli, Vince, no one can get us, we won't let them."

SPOV

I am so tired. Carlos had to do all the work changing my clothes, I'm of course going commando which made the bulge in his pants a bit larger and tighter. I didn't have the heart to laugh at him since it was because of me we couldn't do anything about it.

As he effortlessly carried me to the back door of the clinic, Hal and Hector were waiting for us in a black Escalade they must have brought down from Rangeman. Hal was by my side taking my hand. "Steph…"

"Not now Hal. We'll have time to talk at home. I'm just so tired…"

"It's ok Steph. We'll see you at home."

RPOV

"Babe, are you upset with…" I looked down and she was sleeping. Her body has been put through a great trauma today and she looks exhausted.

The trip home with Tank at the wheel was practically bump free as he did his best to not jar Steph awake. We were greeted by most of my men in the garage upon arrival. Still clutching Steph's sleeping body for dear life, I walked past them slowly, giving them a chance to see for themselves that she was alive, and walked into the elevator. Tank was making a path for us and saw us into the apartment. As the elevator doors were closing, I could hear Brown say there would be an update on her condition at the morning meeting.

She woke up as I sat us down on the sofa.

"Carlos, can we take a shower? I feel so grimy."

"Babe, I can't… I can't let you go, not just yet. Can I just hold you for a while?"

"Carlos, I'm here, I'm fine. Everything is going to be alright."

No, everything is definitely not alright, not yet. Morelli had one of my men working with him and god knows how much intel that asshole actually shared about my company or the building's security. We will have to do a security sweep for any bugs and re-evaluate some things in the morning. But now, now I just need to hold the woman who holds my heart, my soul, my life.

I don't know how long we laid there, entwined in each other with her laying on top of me, connecting as much of our bodies as was physically possible without touching her wound. I heard a knock on the door. "Come in!" I yelled. I knew Steph wasn't sleeping, after her little nap on the way home. She was just placating my need for closeness.

Bobby, Hal and Hector all walked in. Bobby came over and knelt in front of Steph. "How are you feeling, slugger?" This was some of the guys' new nickname for her ever since her session on the mats with Vince.

"Fine. Besides a slap on the face, he didn't do anything physically to me, just threatened to." He nodded and stood beside Hal who was looking conflicted. If I had to guess, he wanted to kill someone and hold Steph all at the same time. I understand his dilemma. I knew they would both listen to the feed from her panic button later and get even more enraged with what actually happened.

Both Hal and Hector both physically look like shit. Steph slowly got up, holding her side and walked over to them. She hugged Hector, then caught him off guard by taking his face in her hands, looking him in the eyes and saying, "I don't blame you. Please don't be hard on yourself." Then she kissed his cheek. He blushed. An ex gang-banger blushed at her kiss, go figure.

She then turned to Hal and also taking his face in her hands, told him, "you especially can't take this on. I'm ok, you're ok, I call that a happy ending. Don't blame yourself, got it?" He nodded and she gave him a hug, holding on for a bit.

I couldn't believe my ears when I heard Hal say, "I love you Steph, and I'm glad your home."

I just shook my head at what I was witnessing when she answered back, "Love you too, big guy."

When had my men become such softies? How could I forget… when I brought Steph into our lives. None of us will ever be the same. We all would have lost a part of our hearts if we'd lost her today. This brought her security to an all time priority, I just hope she's willing to pacify my need for additional safety.

When my men left, it was time to shower and eat dinner. I called Ella and asked her to bring a light dinner that Steph's stomach could handle what with the sedative and painkillers she was on, in about an hour. I knew by the time I got Steph into the shower, we'd be there for a while. After brushing her hair over the trash can to make sure all the glass was gone, we showered and I washed all the blood from her body. My need to connect with her, to physically feel she was still with me, and to join our bodies is overwhelming.

After showering and ever so gently making love to my fiancé, I was feeling better and she looked more peaceful. Words were not needed to express our need to connect with each other in the most intimate way.

Ella brought up a homemade chicken noodle soup that was perfect for Steph's system. She ate half a bowl and a few crackers before pushing it away. I carried her to bed and we talked. She had a lot of questions about what happened after Vince got her in the car. Thankfully she didn't remember being hit by the delivery truck. Her first memory was of waking up with me praying in Spanish. I told her about hearing what was transpiring over her panic button's transmitter, the delivery truck and Vince's ultimate fate. She asked about what the truck looked like and I told her it was best she didn't think about that part of it. I told her the part we all had in extracting her from the truck and she seemed touched. I told her she could give her thank you's to the men at tomorrow morning if she felt up to it. I admitted to her the struggle I had in the waiting room while waiting for news of her condition. She choked up when she realized how upset I had gotten and I reassured her that when I said I was hers, I truly meant it. She holds my heart… forever.

We ended the night talking about our engagement party and what we were going to do. We decided to continue as planned with her staying in bed most of the day until the party, so she wouldn't overdue. The worst part of her injury was the stitches, so we would be careful they didn't get pulled. As much as I hate putting her at any risk, I think she needs to connect with the men and Ella and myself will work at keeping her physically healthy.

She sat up suddenly and I knew where her thoughts were headed. I told her Hal had brought the red dress she fell in love with and it's hanging in our closet. I assured her I hadn't seen it yet, so it would still be a surprise. She fell asleep in my arms, and even after taking her to bed and changing her into my t-shirt, I couldn't sleep. I surrendered to my desire to simply hold and watch this incredible creature breathe. I have so much to be thankful for, I just pray we get the chance to grow old together so I can express my love to her.

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Thanks! Lori