Unapologize

By: PricklySare

A/N: Usual Disclaimers blah, blah, blah, yada, yada. Not mine, no money, though Ranger and Lester both visit me often. :)

Thank you to everyone who has been reading this story. I get a week off from school before my next class starts so hopefully I'll have several more chapters posted in the next few days.

Shout Outs to my three favorite Babes. Meg, Marge, and Stayce, you guys are the best. :) My very own heroes. Lol.

Chapter Thirty-Three: Steph Demands Answers

Steph's POV:

This was starting to feel like a bad case of deja vu. Last time I requested a lawyer I ended up knocked out for two days. I knew that wouldn't be the case this time though; not when I had three very pissed off mercenaries guarding my back. I was trying really hard not to freak out about being held by Homeland Security, and doing my best to channel Ranger, but inside I was still the girl from the 'Burg who really wanted to throw up. I didn't belong in jail; I especially didn't belong in a federal jail. I was having really bad flashes of everything I'd ever heard about Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Sure, I liked Cuba well enough, or at least their men, but that didn't mean I wanted to have a one way ticket there. I was just fine with seeing Cuban-American men.

"Haven't you already talked to a lawyer, Beautiful?" Lester asked me, his hand rubbing soothing circles around my lower back. I had finally managed to sit up some, even though Bobby had advised against it. I wasn't about to be lying on the floor, weak and vulnerable. Well, at least any more weak and vulnerable than I already was. I was scared, and I was pissed. Pissed was fighting for dominance, and I really hoped it would win. Being scared sucked.

"I've asked for a lawyer, no, I've demanded a lawyer more than once now. Though, the last time I asked I ended up losing two days for my troubles," I told him. "This time, maybe Agent Cassidy will actually do his job and won't continue violating my rights." Anger along with a good dose of pain caused my voice to spike. Calm down, Steph. Help me out here, Ranger. I could use a little of your boundless strength and self- control.

"Don't worry, Bombshell," Tank said, pulling his cell phone off the utility belt around his waist. "I'm calling, Haver. We'll figure this out." I watched as he shot a glare toward Agent Cassidy, did the Rangeman silent communication thing with Lester and Bobby, then stepped out of the cell.

My brain felt like it was bouncing around inside my skull, and I brought my hands up to rub at my temples. "Bomber, try not to make sudden moves, please," Bobby said. "You need to see a doctor, soon. I don't know how bad your injuries are, and Ranger is going to send us all to third world countries as it is."

"Hey," I said, taking offense to Bobby's words. It wasn't like I asked for this shit to happen to me. "For once I actually want to go to the hospital," I continued. "It's Agent Cassidy who has vetoed that idea." Disdain dripped like icicles from my words. He might have been a Federal Agent, but what the hell good was he. I was hurt and still sat in a jail cell. For that matter, I wasn't really sure what his deal was. If I was in his custody, then why were my guys here?

"You'll get medical attention soon, Miss Plum," Cassidy said.

"Soon being what? Today? Tomorrow? Sometime after we inaugurate a new president? How about a timeline for me here, Spook." I thought I heard Lester snort, but it might have been my imagination.

"Miss Plum, I'd like to explain everything to you. I'm really not the bad guy here, and it would be easier if you could trust me." This time the snort was clear as day, and it had come from me.

"Why in the hell should I trust you, Agent Cassidy? Because, you've been such an amazing help to me so far? Or maybe because you've yanked me into your custody, which honestly doesn't sound much better than where I've been for the past two days." I was angry, no doubt about it. I felt Lester shift his body against mine and he whispered in my ear.

"Calm down, Beautiful. Take a deep breath. I'm right here.

Taking a deep breath like he suggested, I let it out slowly and relaxed against him. There was a reason he was one of my best friends. Once upon a time Mary Lou had held that title, but in the last few years our lives had strayed so far from each other that the bond just wasn't there anymore. Sure we were still friends, but Lester, Tank, Bobby and Ranger knew me like nobody else could. Although, out of all the guys, Bobby and I weren't nearly as close. That made me sad, and I wasn't sure why, but I didn't have time to worry about it right then. Maybe I'd pull that thought out to examine later, like over a pint of Chunky Monkey.

"Let's wait for Tank to get back in here and I'll see what I can do to change your mind about that," Cassidy said. As if on cue, Tank's hulking form walked back in the open cell door.

"Haver is on his way. ETA is thirty minutes. He was already heading this way when I called him," he said, leaning against the cell wall near where Lester and I were. "How's the head, Bombshell?" he asked me, concern visible on his face.

"Feels like I had my head slammed into the floor by a lard ass cop with too much authority and not enough brain cells," I told him. "Now, if you find that piece of shit and let me at him, I guarantee I'd feel a whole hell of a lot better." I'm pretty sure I saw a smile flash across Agent Cassidy's face before he schooled his features into a blank mask again. Who knew, maybe he actually had a personality to go along with his secret decoder ring and security clearance. I'd reserve judgment for a much later date. Like, once I was back to my life without the possibility of living my remaining days in an eight by eight cell.

I shifted my body trying to find a more comfortable position, when the world started spinning again. The joys of having a concussion are just never ending, I tell you what. After a few moments everything returned to normal and I looked at each of the men around me. It was past time for Cassidy to start talking. I had no clue what had happened in the last two days. Hell, I had no clue what happened to land me in here. I was still hoping that maybe someone would be able to shed some light on that little piece of the puzzle as well.

"Tank's here now, Cassidy," I stated. "Wow me with your explanation of how you're not a bad guy here. Maybe you could start by answering this question; if you're supposed to take me into your custody, why are Tank, Lester and Bobby here? I'm assuming you called them."

Pushing himself off the wall where he'd been leaning, he came over and dropped down onto the cement floor beside my bunk. His movements were economical and graceful, and I couldn't help but enjoy the view. The fact that he had lowered himself to my eye level made me think that he might not be such a horrible person after all. At least I hoped he wasn't. "I know you don't trust me, and I don't blame you," he began. "Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to tell you much of anything right now, but I promise you I will. We just need to make sure you're out of here and safe before we talk.

"I did call Rangeman and told Tank to meet me here. I'm taking you into custody, we'll get you medical attention at a secure location, and then I will answer any questions you have. I promise, you're going to get out of this, okay?"

I just looked at him for several moments before shifting my gaze to each of the men who I knew without a doubt, would do whatever needed to be done to keep me safe. For once, I think the ESP was working for me because I knew I'd be okay. The guys wouldn't let anything else happen to me, and I wanted to get the hell out of this shit hole. "Fine," I said. "But we're waiting for my attorney to get here, then you can whisk the five of us off to your little spook lair and explain everything to me." That got amused looks from all of the guys, including Cassidy.

"No problem, Miss Plum," he said. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Thirty minutes later the Rangeman attorney showed up in all his southern gentleman glory. I'd met Haver Williamson a few times before while working with Rangeman, but this would be the first time we were meeting for my benefit. "Stephanie, good to see you again," he said, shaking my hand firmly. "It's a shame it's under the present circumstances, but we'll get it taken care of in quick order."

"It's good to see you too," I said. "Though, maybe next time we could meet over coffee and donuts." When he grinned at me I couldn't help but smile back, even with the killer headache.

"You look like you're in a world of hurt, Sweetheart," he said taking in my appearance. I could only imagine what he was seeing. My face hurt like a bitch, and the pain in my head felt like someone had used it for batting practice.

I nodded my head, "Eh, it's only pain. After all, pain is just weakness leaving the body, and at this point I'm figuring I don't have anymore weaknesses. I should be pretty damn close to Wonder Woman," I said with a small smile, before I relaxed back against Lester again. He doubled as a really great pillow.

"Lets get you out of here and then you can tell me everything. Tank told me what he could, but I'd rather hear it from you." He turned his attention to Cassidy and said, "Agent Cassidy, I presume. I believe you have quite a lot to explain to me as well. Is there anything stopping us from getting out of this dank and shameful excuse for a jail?"

"Not anymore. I've got the paperwork releasing her into the custody of Homeland Security, and everything is in order," he said, handing a file over to Haver. "We need to get her somewhere safe as quickly as possible, so if you're ready, we can leave now."

Haver nodded, placed the file in his briefcase, and said, "Lead the way."

Ten minutes later we were on our way. Lester, Haver and I rode with Cassidy in his black SUV, while Tank and Bobby followed us in their Rangeman SUV. This was it, I was officially in the custody of Homeland Security, and I was really hoping I wasn't setting myself up to be monumentally screwed. Maybe now would be a good time to revisit Denial Land, at least for a few minutes. I caught Cassidy's eyes in the rearview mirror and said, "So, tell me about the Spook Lair."

Word Count: 1902 without title, A/N, or Disclaimer

1 Prompt for PP Pain Challenge