A/N: I know this storyline has been done in the past. However, it kept screaming at me to be written and refused to give me any peace until I did. So here it is, I hope everyone enjoys it. Many thanks to Sharon, who not only urged me to write it anyway, but beta'd for me. You're the best, Babe!

Warnings: This story contains smut (it wouldn't be me if it didn't) and butt-load of angst. Oh yeah, JE owns them, blah, blah, blah.

LOVE IN THE WIND

Chapter 2

It had been four weeks since Ranger left. Steph was operating on auto pilot most of the time, just going through the motions of her life. Her family was becoming concerned, but when asked what was wrong, Steph just said everything was fine and refused to talk about it. Even her work was beginning to suffer. If it hadn't been for Lula, Steph wouldn't have brought in a single skip in four weeks.

Lula told Steph that the guys at Rangeman weren't doing much better; at least, not the core team. She said Tank had been moody and a bit distant since Ranger had been gone. He tried to blame it on the extra work now that he was running Rangeman in Ranger's absence, but Lula knew better. Tank was missing his best friend and was afraid that he'd never see him again.

Steph needed to see the guys. She needed to talk to them. She'd just finished with an appointment and found herself driving to Haywood. Figuring now was as good a time as ever, she pulled up to the front gate only to find it already in the process of being raised. Steph smiled to herself as she realized that she still had a GPS on her car, something Ranger must have installed a while ago. Before, it might have pissed her off knowing that Rangeman knew her every move, but now she welcomed the protection more than ever.

Stephanie pulled her car into an open space just in front of the elevators. Of all places to have good parking karma, she sadly chuckled. Killing the engine, Steph sat in the driver's seat for awhile, afraid to get out. What was she going to tell the guys? How would she say it? Would they appreciate her being here at all? Steph was running through all the worst case scenarios in her head when her cell phone started ringing Rockwell's "Somebody's Watching Me." It was the control room upstairs.

"Hello?" Steph answered.

"Hey Beautiful," replied Lester. "When you're done deciding whether to stay or leave, come up to Tank's office. We'd love to see you."

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute," Steph said softly. She closed her phone, got out of the car and headed up to the fifth floor.

When she reached the control room, she was greeted by Hal and Junior. Hal got up from the monitors and gave Steph a hug.

"We've missed you, Bomber. Are you okay?" Hal asked. He could see the sadness on Steph's face. It was the same look most of the men had for weeks.

"I'm alright, I guess. I need to talk to Tank. Lester said he's in his office," she stated.

"Yep, he's expecting you," he said. Then, holding her by the shoulders, he said something that touched her heart. "If there's anything you need, you know to come to us right? We're all here to help you if you need it." Hal offered her a small smile. He really did like Stephanie, even if she had zapped him with his own taser. The guys still razzed him about it from time to time, but he didn't hold it against her.

"Thank you. I just might take you up on your offer," she said quietly. "I should go if Tank's waiting. I don't want to make him upset."

"I doubt you ever could, Bomber. He'll be happy to see you." Hal placed a gentle kiss on her forehead then walked her to the hallway before returning to his seat in front of the monitors.

When Steph got to Tank's office, the door was already open and she could see Tank at his desk and Lester on the couch.

"Come in, Bombshell," Tank invited.

Lester got up from the couch and gave her a big hug. Steph wanted to let go but found herself holding on for dear life. Lester shot Tank a concerned look when he realized she was crying. He pulled her down on the couch and just held her while she sobbed.

There was no way Steph could stop her tears even if she had wanted to. The emotions were just too strong. Normally, she hated crying in front of the guys, but she was hoping that this time they would understand and not hold it against her.

Not that they ever had before.

After what seemed like forever, Steph's tears finally began to subside. She could feel Lester gently rocking her and stroking her hair as she tried to get her breathing under control through shaky gasps. When she felt a hand on her leg, she knew it was Tank.

"Shhh, Bomber. It's okay," Tank soothed. "Just take some deep breaths." Tank rubbed her leg in an attempt to calm Steph down. He knew that she would miss Ranger but didn't expect quite that strong of a reaction from her. Tank figured Steph loved Ranger more than he had realized.

Steph turned and looked at Tank. He was heartbroken at how lost she looked. To make matters worse, he didn't know what to say to make her feel better. Sure, he hadn't heard anything yet regarding Ranger, but when he did he wasn't expecting anything good. Tank had seen Ranger's orders and knew, just as Ranger did, what the probable outcome would be. And judging by Stephanie's condition, so did she.

But he had to tell her something. He had to hold on to hope. Tank wasn't ready to lose the best friend he'd ever had. He looked up at Lester as if to find some kind of guidance, but he wasn't in any better shape than the rest of them. After all, Ranger was Lester's family. As cousins in a tight-knit family, they grew up playing and fighting together. Sure, Lester gave Ranger shit all the time and Ranger kicked the crap out of him for it, but at the end of the day, they were family and they always had each other's backs. It was the way they were raised.

"Steph, honey," Tank started. "I haven't heard anything yet. It's still too early. You know that when I hear something, I'll tell you, right?"

"I know," Steph whispered. "I'm sorry to fall apart like this. I just really needed to talk to you."

"You can come and talk to us anytime you want, Beautiful," Lester said as he placed a kiss on the top of her head.

"If there's anything you need, Steph, all you have to do is ask and it's yours," Tank said. "We're all here to help you with anything you need."

Steph stared at Tank and let out a deep sigh. If there were ever a time she needed these guys, it was now. Tank could sense that there was something else on Steph's mind. He hoped to God that she hadn't picked herself up another stalker. Then Tank reconsidered that thought. He really could use something to hit right now and hit it hard. And often.

"Is there something you need, Bombshell?" Tank asked.

Stephanie took a deep breath and let it out slowly before answering. She just hoped her request didn't blow up in her face.

"I have a very big favor to ask," she said. When Tank nodded at her she continued. "I'd like to move in here, if it's okay with you," she said slowly. "I could stay on the seventh floor since…" she choked back a sob. "…since it's empty right now. That way, I wouldn't be underfoot and you can leave the fourth floor apartments available for your employees."

"Beautiful, you've never been underfoot," Lester said. "But why do you want to move in here? Is there someone after you again?"

"No," Steph said quietly, not looking at either man.

"Then what it is, Steph? Why do you want to leave your apartment and live here?" Tank asked.

"I'm pregnant," she said softly. Steph buried her head in Lester's chest and started crying again.

Lester gave Tank an 'oh shit' look and the big guy blew out a long breath. Neither man was upset over Steph being pregnant; what hurt them was that Ranger would never know. As much as they were holding onto hope, Tank and Lester knew the reality of Ranger's mission.

It was a one way ticket trip.

Tank remembered the night before Ranger left. It was the most heart-wrenching moment the two friends had ever had. Ranger had called Tank up to his apartment.

"This is for you," Ranger said as he handed Tank an envelope.

"What is this?" Tank asked. He couldn't stand to open it and see for himself. It would make it too real.

"Documentation that gives you Rangeman and all its assets upon my death. There's an option for you to make Lester and Bobby partners but that's entirely up to you," Ranger explained.

"Carlos, man. I'm not going…" Tank started but Ranger cut him off.

"There's also a copy of the trust fund I have set up for Julie. You shouldn't have to worry about that, though. She can't have anything until she turns twenty-one or if something should happen to Rachel and Ron. Rachel is aware of the trust fund and doesn't have a problem with it."

Tank choked down his emotions. The last thing either of them needed was him falling apart.

"Is there anything else?" Tank asked.

"Yes," Ranger said sadly. "There's a trust fund set up for Steph as well. It's hers upon my death." Ranger paused a moment before he continued. "Tank, I need you to promise me you'll watch over her. Keep her safe and help her with anything she needs." Ranger got a far away look on his face.

Tank knew it was killing Ranger to have to leave her behind. Ranger had never admitted his feelings for Steph to anyone but Tank wasn't stupid. He wasn't blind, either. He knew Ranger's world revolved around Stephanie. Tank was also willing to bet that Steph's feelings were pretty damn close to Ranger's, so why they hadn't gotten together was beyond him. Now, they wouldn't have that chance.

"And keep Morelli away from her," Ranger growled. "I'd rather see her with Lester than that damned cop."

"Anything she wants, it's hers. I promise. We'll keep an eye on her until you get back," Tank promised.

"I'm not coming back and we both know it," Ranger said quietly.

"There's always hope, Carlos," Tank replied.

"Not this time, Tank. You read the orders. I'm the walking dead. The only way I'm coming back is in a body bag, if I come back at all."

"You don't know…" Tank began.

"Enough!" Ranger ordered. "The orders are clear. The lack of an extraction plan means there won't be anything left of me to save."

Tank couldn't take it anymore. He turned away, not wanting to look at his best friend. He just didn't want to accept that Ranger wouldn't be coming home.

"We all knew signing on that missions like this were a reality. Any one of us could have gotten this assignment," Ranger explained.

"Yes, but you're the best! You're not…" Ranger held up his hand, stopping Tank.

"It's the reason why I got the mission. Brass wanted to make sure it was executed properly and without any loose ends," Ranger stated.

"Since when are you considered a fucking loose end?" Tank said in disgust. How the hell could the Army just throw away one of its best soldiers?

"It's the way it has to be, Tank. You know that," Ranger said. Tank knew but he didn't have to like it.

"I'm taking off now. I have some things I need to take care of before I leave tomorrow afternoon. You're in charge from here on out." Ranger picked up his duffel bag and began heading for the door.

As Ranger walked past his friend, Tank grabbed him by the arm and pulled Ranger into a hug. Both men knew it would be the last time they'd ever see each other. Ranger pulled away from Tank and continued to the door.

"Are you going to see Steph?" Tank asked.

Ranger stopped in his tracks. "I don't know," he said after a few moments.

"You should. You two love each other and she deserves the right to say good bye to you," Tank replied.

"I'll think about it," Ranger said before leaving.

Well, obviously Ranger had gone to see Steph since here she was in Tank's office pregnant with his child. Tank knew it couldn't be anyone else's child but Ranger's for a couple of reasons. For starters, she had been keeping her activities to a minimum; home, bond's office, her parents' house. She hadn't even gone shopping with Lula. Also, if it had been anyone else's baby, Steph wouldn't be asking to move into Ranger's apartment.

No, this child was Ranger's and chances were that he would never know about it. Even if Tank could get a message to him he doubted he would tell Ranger that he was going to be a father again. That kind of info in the field could mess with a guy's head, make him do stupid things he normally wouldn't do.

"Steph," started Lester, "are you sure you're pregnant?"

"Yes," she said. "I just came from the doctor's office. I'd been throwing up and feeling sick for a week. I thought it was just the flu but the doctor said I'm pregnant."

"Well," Tank said. "I made a promise to Ranger to look after you while he's gone and I intend to keep that promise. You can move in any time you want, Steph."

"Really?" Steph asked. She hadn't really known what to expect. But hearing Tank tell her that she was welcome to stay on the seventh floor was the best thing she'd heard in four weeks.

"Yes, really," Tank reassured her. "You don't even have to worry about packing anything. We'll take care of it. And your days of chasing skips are over, at least for a little while."

"But what am I going to do for money? I'll owe you rent. I have my own expenses. I just can't sit on my soon to be very fat ass and do nothing!" Stephanie started to panic. She hadn't thought her plan all the way through. What was she going to do for work now that she was pregnant? Tank was right, she couldn't chase skips now that she was carrying a child. Something could happen to the baby and she wasn't about to lose the only piece of Ranger she may have left.

"Calm down, Bomber," Tank said as he rubbed her leg trying to soothe her again. "You don't have to worry about rent and you have your old job waiting for you here. You don't have anything to worry about."

"Really?" Steph could hardly formulate anything more intelligent than that.

"Yes, really. You should have never left in the first place. We liked having you here," Tank said softly. Steph let out a deep sigh and snuggled into Lester's chest. She was finally beginning to relax a little.

There was a knock on Tank's door before Bobby came in.

"I heard Bomber was here," he said. He looked at her all cuddled up in Lester's lap on the couch. "Is she okay?"

"It seems Rangeman is going to have a baby," Tank announced. Bobby shot Steph a quick look before turning back to Tank. He mouthed the word 'Ranger' and Tank nodded. "And she's going to be moving into the seventh floor apartment and taking her old job back."

"Good, because that apartment is a death trap and no place to raise a child, and Steph brightens this place up when she's around," Bobby said. He walked over and squatted in front of Steph.

"Steph, have you seen a doctor yet?" Bobby asked.

"Yes," she answered. "I went there this morning. He gave me a prescription for pre-natal vitamins and a list of things to stay away from."

"Good. You know you can come to me with any questions, right?" Bobby asked.

"I guess so. You are the company medic and supposed to look out for the employees."

"I'm also your friend and would look out for you anyway," Bobby said.

"So you'll help me through this pregnancy?" Steph asked.

"I would be honored to. All three of us are here for you always," Bobby replied.

"Yeah, this baby is going to have so many uncles, he's going to be tripping over them," Tank said, trying to make light of the situation. But Steph was having trouble seeing the good in much of anything. Sure, this baby would have a lot of uncles who would love him or her, but it wouldn't have a father. And that's what hurt the most.

Lester finally decided to chime in.

"Look, why don't I help you get some of your most important stuff now, Beautiful? We can take one of the trucks and be back in a couple of hours. Then the guys can go back later for the rest. How does that sound?"

"That sounds okay," Steph agreed. "I'm going to have to tell my family I'm moving and that I'm pregnant. God, my mother's head is going to blow off her shoulders." Stephanie sighed as she realized that she was going to embarrass her mother yet again. She was definitely notlooking forward to that conversation. But she would have to worry about that later.

Lester took her to her apartment as promised. He stayed out of the way while she packed her clothes, personal items from the bathroom and supplies for Rex. Refusing to let Steph carry anything heavy, Lester carried her stuff downstairs to his truck. Once she had everything she wanted, Lester accompanied Steph to Dillon's apartment so that she could give her notice.

Stephanie felt saddened to leave her little apartment. Sure, it was unsafe and just about every bad and good guy had broken into it. Not to mention, a couple people had died there. But she'd had some good memories, too. Her child had been conceived there. Maybe that was more a bittersweet memory, but still she wouldn't change the outcome for anything in the world. Even so, her old apartment was no place to raise this baby. She needed some place safer. Bigger, and not quite so lonely. So she bid Dillon goodbye and told him that the guys would be moving out the rest of her stuff by the end of the week.

On the drive back to Rangeman, Lester hit Steph with a little bombshell of his own.

"You realize I'm going to have to take you to meet Ranger's parents, don't you?"

"What?" Steph asked.

"You're carrying his child. They're going to want to know that. And since I'm family, it makes the most sense for me to take you to meet them," he explained.

"Oh God, they're going to hate me," Steph sighed.

"No they're not. They've wanted to meet you for a long time. Now's your chance," Lester stated.

"How do they even know about me? Ranger doesn't talk about his private life to anyone," Steph wondered.

"Ranger may be tight-lipped about things, but I'm not. Especially the really important things. And you're really important, Steph, to more people than just Ranger." Lester didn't look at Steph; he just kept staring ahead at the road and gripped the steering wheel tighter. Ranger was family so that made Steph and her baby family. If Ranger didn't make it back, Lester was going to take it upon himself to make sure that the two of them were well taken care of.

"What do you mean?" Stephanie was stunned. She never really viewed herself as that important to anyone except when she'd done something wrong. Then, by some miracle, the whole world knew who she was and could laugh or gasp at her latest screw up.

"I mean, you're important to a lot of people; your friends, your family, Ranger's family and all of us at Rangeman," Lester stated.

"My family is only interested in me when they want to have a bitch fest or when I've done something wrong," she said quietly.

"That's your mother. I'm pretty sure your dad and grandma don't feel the same way," Lester said.

Maybe he was right. Grandma Mazur did seem happy whenever Steph did something to give her mother grief. Her dad didn't usually say anything one way or the other.

"What am I supposed to say to Ranger's parents, Lester? 'Hi, I'm Stephanie. I'm not really your son's girlfriend but I'm having his child. Oh and by the way, he might not ever come home?' Yeah, that'll go over real well." Stephanie could feel the tears starting up again. Just the thought of Ranger never coming home was enough to knock the wind out of her.

"They already know about Ranger's situation." That was because Lester had to be the one to tell them. It was the only time he hated being part of the Manoso clan. The pain in his aunt and uncle's eyes ripped his heart out. But, like Ranger, they always knew a mission like this was a possibility.

"Look, Steph. I'll be with you. It'll be okay. Just be yourself and tell them the truth. They'll respect that," Lester explained.

Steph just wished it would be that easy to explain to her own parents.

A few hours later, Steph had all her personal belongings put away in Ranger's apartment. She had given the guys a list of the other things she wanted brought up. The rest would go into storage until she figured out what she wanted to do with it.

She'd been sitting on the sofa staring at the cell phone in her hand for almost ten minutes. She needed to call her parents and get this over with. Finally, she dialed the number and hit send.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Mom," Steph said.

"Stephanie. Are you still moping around? When are you coming over for dinner?" Her mother was anything if consistent.

"Can I come over tonight?" Steph asked. That stunned her mother into silence for a moment.

"Of course. Dinner is at six and we're having pot roast so don't be late," Helen said when she finally found her voice. "Is Joseph coming with you?" Helen always sang the same old tune.

"Mom, you know Joe and I have been broken up for over two months now. I'm not seeing him anymore. Besides, he already has a girlfriend."

"He was your last chance at a stable relationship, Stephanie. Now what are you supposed to do about marriage and a family?"

If her mother only knew. Well, she would in a couple of hours.

"I'll explain everything when I get there, Mother," Steph said.

"Explain what? What are you talking about, Stephanie? Why can't you just tell me now? Why must you always do this to me?" Helen fired her questions faster than Steph could answer.

"I'll see you at six, Mother. I won't be late. Bye." Stephanie hung up the phone. She knew she was going to have a fight on her hands. She only hoped that her father and grandmother would back her up.

Steph pulled up to her parents' house at a quarter to six. That had to be a record for her. As always, her mother and grandmother were waiting at the door for her. Steph could see the surprise on her mother's face as she held the door open for her.

"You're early, Stephanie. This is a nice change."

Gee Mom, thanks for the left-handed compliment, Steph thought.

"Yeah, well, I really need to talk to you," Steph admitted. No reason to beat around the bush. Might as well let them know something was up now. Her mother would truly come unhinged if she found out about Steph's condition through the grapevine. That would be one time Steph would agree with her mother's outrage. This is something they should hear from Stephanie first hand.

"Is there something wrong, dear?" Grandma asked.

"Yes and no," Steph said quietly.

"Oh, God! What have you done this time?" Helen said.

"Mother, this is bad enough without you adding any snide remarks," Steph snapped.

Grandma Mazur gasped as Helen stood there staring wide-eyed at her daughter. Steph's comment was even enough to get her father's attention as he turned off the television and got up from his chair.

"What's the matter, Pumpkin?" Frank asked.

Stephanie took a deep breath, wondering where to start.

"You remember my friend, Ranger?" Steph started.

"That thug you like to run around with?" Helen retorted.

Stephanie shot her a murderous glare.

"He's not a thug!" Stephanie shouted. "He's a good, honorable person. Just because he's not 'burg doesn't mean he's worthless. You don't know anything about him! And now I may never see him again!" Stephanie burst into tears. Her father grabbed her and held her while she cried out her grief. Frank shot his own death look at Helen and dared her to say anything more.

When Steph calmed a bit, her father pulled her back enough to see her face.

"Tell us what's happened, Stephanie," he said gently.

"The Army sent Ranger off for one last mission four weeks ago," she said with a shaky voice. "I don't know where he is or what he's supposed to do."

"He's done this several times before, Steph, and it's never upset you this much," her father said.

"This time they're not expecting him to make it back." Frank pulled her close as she started crying again.

"Ranger's a smart man, honey. I'm sure he'll find a way to come home," Frank said, trying to reassure his distraught daughter.

"Not this time, Daddy. Even the guys don't think he'll make it back."

"I'm sorry, Pumpkin. But you shouldn't lose hope. Until the Army says anything…" Frank started.

"There's more, Daddy," Steph said as she stepped back and tried to wipe away the tears that wouldn't stop. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath for courage.

"I'm pregnant," she whispered.

"Oh, God! I just knew you'd do something stupid to embarrass me," Helen shrieked.

"Dammit, Helen, shut the hell up! Can't you see our little girl is in pain? When are you going to realize that not everything is about you?" Frank spat.

Helen was floored. Her husband had never spoken to her that way before. Edna had a small grin on her face. It was about time Frank put his wife in her place.

"Now don't you worry, dear," Edna said, patting her granddaughter on the back. "We'll help you with the baby and Ranger will come home. You'll see."

"You love him, don't you?" Frank asked. Stephanie could only nod her head. She heard her mother make a rude noise as she headed into the kitchen.

"Then you hold onto that love," Frank said. "Hold on tight. And even if he doesn't make it back, you'll have that love that you can share with your child." Frank tipped Steph chin up so he could look her in the eye.

"I love you, don't you ever forget that," he said. "And I'm here for whatever you need. Do you understand?" Stephanie just nodded. Frank kissed her on the forehead then pulled her into him for another hug.

"Come on, dear. Why don't I take you to the bathroom so you can throw some water on your face before dinner?" Grandma offered.

"Thanks, Grandma," Steph said, her voice still shaky.

As Steph headed for the bathroom, Frank headed into the kitchen to talk to his wife. He found her at the counter taking a shot from her scotch bottle.

"You listen to me and listen good, Helen," Frank growled. "Our daughter needs us more than ever right now. Her life has been turned upside down and she's hurting."

"And why do you think that is, Frank? Because she makes stupid decisions," Helen snapped back.

"Jesus, woman! You are such a fucking pain in the ass!" Helen almost dropped her shot glass as Frank's insult tore through her. In all their years of marriage, he hadn't so much as raised his voice to her.

"Steph doesn't make stupid decisions, she makes her own decisions. Decisions that differ from yours. That's what pisses you off. She's not a carbon copy of you, thank God. Because let me tell you, one of you in this world is more than enough." Frank took a deep breath before he continued.

"You will lose the attitude, and you will can the snide, cold-hearted remarks. You will stop telling Stephanie how to live her life. In short, you will stop being a heartless bitch to our youngest daughter just because she has no aspirations to become you. Do I make myself clear?" Frank actually waited for an answer. When Helen nodded he continued.

"You will help Stephanie only when asked. You may offer advice but you will not cram it down her throat. And you will not call her an unfit mother just because she does something differently from you. Do I still make myself clear?" Again Helen nodded.

"Good. She obviously loves Ranger, whether or not you approve, and she wants this child. You will do everything you can to support her. Is that understood?" Helen opened her mouth to protest but Frank stopped her cold.

"Is that understood?" he repeated.

Helen glared at him and gave him a curt nod. She would submit to her husband but she didn't have to like it.

"Fine. Now I'm hungry. I suggest you get dinner on the table." Without another word, Frank left the kitchen and returned to the living room and the ball game he had been watching before Stephanie arrived.

The rest of the evening was tense, but uneventful. Stephanie explained that she had already moved into the Rangeman building. Frank felt better about it when Steph explained that Bobby was an Army medic and lived onsite. Grandma Mazur was jealous that Steph was going to be surrounded by all those hot men and Helen sat quietly, sipping her scotch and keeping her rude comments to herself.

When Steph was ready to leave, her mother packed her some leftovers and said that she expected her for dinner at least once a week. After all, it wasn't like she was dating anyone.

Steph agreed that she would come by as often as she could. She knew it would take her mother some time to warm up to the idea of Steph having a baby out of wedlock, especially since there were no plans for marriage.

As Steph drove home she thought to herself, One family down, one to go. Let's just hope the next dinner goes better.

Steph feared that the dinner with Ranger's family would be even worse.