Just another little short in Ranger's POV. I think the story will continue in the present after this, unless you want me to continue this. Let me know in your reviews!

Happy 4th of July!

Not mine.


"Are you sure, Captain?" One of the agents in my debriefing asked, voice full of disbelief.

I nodded. "I have trained men for you to do the work that I do, being a whole decade younger, they could do any job I do better."

They looked at each other for a moment. "No one can replace you, Captain."

"But as I get up in age, my ability to do my job successfully lowers." Plus, I'd rather spend the rest of my years with Stephanie, not as plant food.

The middle agent spoke. "Captain Manoso, do you understand by not renewing your contract that you sever all ties with the United States Government and any payment for this contract is withdrawn?"

On the inside, I was giddy. I didn't need any more money, let alone from the government. I nodded solemnly. "I do."

"All right then, I hereby relinquish your contract and deem it fulfilled. Captain Manoso, you are free to go."

I got up and practically ran to my car. Getting an idea, I stopped at the secretary outside Agent Green's office. She smiled at me and looked me over like most women do. However, the only woman I wanted to look at was back in Trenton. I smiled back and leaned on her desk.

"Can I ask you a favor?" I asked huskily. The woman melted like putty.

"Sure Captain." She replied breathlessly.

"Can you get me a copy of my file?"

"But that's not supposed to leave the building." She said as her brow furrowed.

I smiled at her. "I can make it worth your while. I'll be back in town in a few months to tie up some final loose ends. We could get together and…" I lied and left the rest to her imagination. Luckily her mind was in the right place and she got me a copy. On the top she stuck a post it note with her number on the top.

"Call me," she said as I left.

As soon as I was out the door, the post it was in the trash. It was a nice day and time to move on to phase two of Operation Make Babe Mine. I found the parked Porsche and motored to my home where I was meeting Mark.

We shook hands. "Mark, thanks for coming out here."

"Not a problem," he said with a thick accent. "What do you have planned so far?"

I hadn't really made any plans. I was new to all this romantic stuff, considering this is the first time I actually have to woo a girl. I shrugged and Mark sighed. "Let's get to work." He said.

We were sitting at the table an hour later, looking at the list I had wrote up.

"This all looks good." He said.

I had to agree. I never would have thought of any of the things without the help of Mark. The easiest thing was the roses all over her apartment. She deserved that and more. Mark left the room to give me space to write the letters.

What was I going to say to her? I knew that for the time being, this should all be kept a secret, but that didn't make it any easier to write. I stared at the blank page for at least twenty minutes before Mark came in.

"Nothing?" He asked, looking over my shoulder.

"I can't put into words how much she means to me."

"Then tell her."

I looked at him like he was crazy. He sat down a picture of Stephanie that was in my office.

"Tell her," he repeated. He left again.

Tell her? What am I supposed to do, talk to a picture? I sighed and gazed at the picture. She looked so beautiful sitting on the hood of her car, laughing, the catching her beautiful eyes and smile to make her look even more gorgeous.

As I sat there, the words came to mind. Smiling, I picked up the pen and began to write.