***NOT MINE, but I am planning a kidnapping as we speak. ENJOY.***
Ranger left a few minutes later, promising to be back in the morning. I, of course, requested doughnuts and coffee, which he gladly agreed to. I wasn't done being angry with him, and I wasn't going to just go back to trusting him like I did before. I just really needed him to stop being childish.
"Steph, I think I have a whole new respect for you." Bobby said, smiling. He and Les were sprawled out on my bed next to me as we all tried to unwind from the confrontation. I looked at him and rolled my eyes. "No. I'm serious. I'm proud of you. You stood up to Ranger…finally. I understand why you didn't just let us shoot him, but I'm glad you didn't just cave in."
"I kinda did cave." I shook my head and picked at the hem of my pajamas. "I am so angry at him. I want to punch him in his stupid beautiful arrogant gorgeous face."
"It is really therapeutic." Les laughed, taking my hand in his. "If it makes you feel better, both Bobby and I have given him a pretty good beating."
I shook my head and laughed. "I don't want to kill him….just hurt him a bit."
"We didn't break anything." Bobby smiled, a twinkle in his eye telling me he enjoyed beating Ranger a lot. "Well, a couple ribs, but nothing he can't handle. I am actually surprised he isn't still sporting bruises."
"He is still pretty sore." Les grabbed a pillow and put in under his head. "I watched him walk to the Porsche. He was limping like a motherfucker."
"What did he do to Diesel?" My tone serious and somber. "Is he okay?"
"He is okay." Bobby said pushing up into a sitting position and crossing his legs Indian style in front of him. "Diesel came to the hospital the morning after you were admitted. You were still in and out of surgery and Ranger just flipped out. It took Tank and three more of us to break them up."
"Shit." I covered my face. "Where is he? Have you guys heard from him?"
"He's okay." Les pulled my hands away from my face. "He is going to be stopping by soon. He said needs to talk to you. He's been working on trying to get the guy behind your poisoning and the whole shredded bodies' thing."
I grimaced, remembering the body parts and the smell within the old meat plant.
"Morelli has been working on the case with the Feds. They have some leads, but according to Diesel they aren't going to find anything that will be useful. This is an Unmentionable thing." Les rubbed the space between my thumb and forefinger. "We've been helping out as much as we can. Ranger tried to forbid it, but as you can imagine that didn't go well. He's convinced that he can find the guy on his own."
"I think he is starting to realize that he can't." Bobby added. "Now that he is done with his temper tantrum maybe he will stop being an idiot."
"Ugh..." I groaned. "Why are the men in my life such drama queens?"
"Hey, we aren't all drama queens." Les laughed tossing the pillow at me. I caught it and squished it against me. "Some of us are, don't get me wrong. You should see Woody when the Cowboys lose. He loses his shit."
"Or Hector when someone messes with his DVR." Bobby laughed. I looked at him quizzically. "He has a thing for Doctor Who. I thought that he was going to kill Cal when he deleted the last season."
"Hey…that's not dramatic. No one fucks with the Doctor." Les sat up, scowling. Bobby raised his hands in submission. "Okay okay. I get it."
"Steph, I hate to say this but that asshole loves you. He's emotionally stunted, and can't communicate his feelings to save his life." Bobby shook his head. "He's been head over heels for you since you were going after Morelli. He came back to the office, which was just a small rented space on a strip mall, he was gushing about this woman that was smart, and funny, and sexy as hell."
I blushed, chuckling about all the shit we have been through since then. "I never would have survived without him. He's saved my life more times than I think I am comfortable with."
"Beautiful, when shit went down with Abruzzi we knew that he was in love with you." Les smiled. "He was high as a fucking kite and blabbering on about how he wanted to put a ring on your finger and take you away from all this bullshit. I even recorded it." He laughed and scrolled through his phone. "Hold on I think I still have it."
"Les…I don't think I want to see..."
A phone screen was thrust in my face. There was Ranger, his eyes half closed and a goofy smile on his face. Les tapped the screen and the video began.
"Les..." Ranger slurred, waving his hand. "Da fuck is that?" He tapped the IV in his hand.
"Leave it, Carlos." Les said off camera. "It's giving you the drugs."
"These drugs are awesome!" His face screwed up into something that reminded me of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. "Les, I need to go find Stephanie." He was trying to roll off his back, the giant bandages covering his chest and shoulder. Les' hand firmly pressed him back down.
"Not now. She's probably sleeping. The Cop brought her back to his place. Remember?"
"Fucking cop." Ranger grumbled. "I bet he's up in his stupid house, with his big slobbery dog with his stupid hands all over my Babe." He was pouting.
"Carlos, you told her to go."
"I had to." He closed his eyes and leaned his head back into his pillow. "Look at me. I'm a fucking mess. What in the fuck could I give her? Other than getting as fucked up as me."
"She's not married. Get some rest, get back out there and make her your woman." Les' voice was quiet and calm.
"She is my woman." Ranger pushed his fist against his chest, winced and swore. "I fucking love that woman. You know what I mean?" He looked up and I saw the look in his eyes. There was no wall, no filter. This was Carlos.
"I know, man." Les' hand reached out and patted Ranger's shoulder. "That girl is head over heels for you. I don't know why you don't just let her in. Tell her. I am sure she already knows."
"Les, I am gonna marry that woman." He pointed at the camera, at Les. "You wait...I am going to marry her and have babies. Lots of curly haired babies with big blue eyes. I am gonna give her everything she could ever want, and even more. She's gonna finally be happy and away from those fucking asshats who keep telling her she's not …whatever the fuck they want her to be." He waved his hands, once again distracted by them. He tapped the IV again. "Da fuck is this?"
Les laughed off camera again, and covered Ranger's hand with his own, pressing it down. "Tell me what you would tell her."
"I would say. Stephanie..." He tilted his head, and whispered. "I think calling her Babe would lessen it." He cleared his throat. "Stephanie, you are my soul, my heart. You are the very breath I breathe. I can't …no I won't live my life without you in it." He pointed at the camera at 'you' once again noticing the IV. "Da fuck is that?"
"Go to sleep, Carlos."
"I need my Babe." Ranger crossed his arms against his chest, winced and swore. Les laughed and the video ended.
My heart swelled, my head ached. I was so confused. He has loved me since Abruzzi? Why didn't he just step up and tell me. I flashed through all the memories of him and I and all the almost moments where I thought maybe he would want to start forever with me.
"What the hell?" I whispered, shaking my head. "He….why didn't he just tell me?"
"Cause he's a pussy." Les said, plugging in his phone to charge. "He's scared shitless of letting go of any control. Telling you that he loves you and wants you and only you has the possibility of failure. You know that Ranger doesn't do failure."
"He's an ass." Bobby chimed in and I nodded. "Alright enough story time. Let's get to bed."
We said our goodnights and settled back into our beds. I fell asleep quickly and soundly.
***So…another chapter down…another one waiting. Review, message, whatever. I wanna know what you think, what your suggestion are, questions, ECT. ***