A/N: Character thoughts are depicted in italics. All recognizable characters belong to Janet. All recognizable mistakes and the plot line are mine. Thanks again Susan for proofing this and giving me feedback. Also, thanks go out to everyone who still is following this little story of mine.

Chapter 16

"Oh my God, just kill me now and save me the misery!"

Stephanie flopped backward on the floor mat in the gym and gave a big huff of exhaustion. After a week of being back at Rangeman under the care of Bobby and his sadistic physical therapy sessions, she was convinced she would be better off if she just died a quiet death.

"A donut. Please, just one, Bobby. I won't even eat it, just lick the glaze off. Argh…..." she whined.

When she didn't get any response, she rolled over on her stomach and propped herself up on her elbows. She gazed up at him and gave him her best puppy dog eyes.

Bobby stood looking down at her, feet apart and arms crossed over his chest with a hint of amusement on his face. He held out a hand to her and helped her to her feet. Keeping his hand loosely on her forearm, he guided her over to a nearby bench.

"You're really progressing well Steph. I know your muscles are sore, but you've regained a lot of movement back in your bad leg. You still have some work ahead of you though. I do need to take a peek at the scar tissue there before we wrap this up, just to make sure it isn't drawing up too tight. Once that's done, I left you a surprise in your kitchen."

Without hesitation, Steph stood up and pulled up the leg of her running shorts, exposing the scarred area on her thigh. As Bobby carefully examined the puckered red scar tissue, the door to the gym slammed open into the wall, causing Steph to jump. Looking up, she was taken aback to see Ranger looming in the doorway, radiating anger and much to her surprise, jealousy in waves. Her eyes traveled up and down his body, taking in his clenched fists and aggressive stance of his body. She couldn't help but appreciate how wonderful he looked in his short-sleeved black t-shirt and basketball shorts.

Mine, dammit, she's mine! Invaded her thoughts, making her take an involuntary step away from Bobby.

Bobby looked up at Ranger and nodded at him, oblivious to how close he was to bodily harm at the moment. "Bossman, glad to see you on time for your therapy session. I'm just finishing up with Stephanie here and then we'll start. Why don't you do the warm up exercises for your shoulders while I finish inspecting Steph's wound. I need to get her something to keep the scar tissue soft so it won't affect her movements."

Steph felt Ranger's anger deflate. She wanted to break down in tears when she felt a distancing wall of resignation emanate from him instead. She could feel him purposely pulling away from her. He paused for a moment intentionally not looking or talking to her, then made his way over to the weight racks to start his warm up.

She gingerly made her way over to the weight machine, standing directly in Ranger's line of vision. Trying to make eye contact with him, she smiled and gave a little finger wave. With a will of their own, her eyes traveled to the lacy scar that snaked out from under the sleeve of his shirt and curled its way down his biceps.

"Hey stranger, long time no see. I was wondering if I was ever going to run into you again."

Ranger glanced up at Steph's face so fast she almost missed it. Never breaking the fluid movements of the repetitive warm up exercise, he gritted his teeth and looked down at his hands tightly gripping the weights and grunted at her in acknowledgement.

"That's it? A freaking grunt?" Steph could feel her ire rising. "I haven't talked to you since the accident and that's all you can manage?" Her voice became laced with caring concern. "I've been worried about you, Ranger. How are you doing?" She watched him tense up even more and swallowed hard.

Okay Plum.

Time to take this Cuban bull by the horns.

"Have I done something to upset you? I miss you, miss talking to you." Ranger paused momentarily in his routine, then quickly resumed it. "I'm fine Stephanie. Just busy." He looked up at her and raised his eyebrow. "If you'll excuse me now?"

Steph bit her lip in irritated frustration and looked away, shaking her head. Oooookay then. So we're back to Stephanie, instead of Babe. Well doesn't this just blow? "Fine. Whatever you say."

She turned her back to Ranger, slowly making her way out the door and to the elevator. That was it. She was fed up with this hot and cold crap from Ranger. For the last week, he had purposely distanced himself from her physically, but that didn't stop her from being surrounded by Ranger's emotions almost nonstop. The dreams and thoughts were still there, but nowhere as revealing as to what was going on with him. She was so confused. There were moments when she could feel his love and definitely lust. But it would be followed by jealousy, anger and almost an angsty sensation. She could feel his hurt, but for the life of her she couldn't figure out why he would feel like that. She could feel his forced indifference and then it would start all over again. That just pissed her off again, making her head spin and the bottom of her stomach drop out.

Yep. Time to get off that emotional roller coaster ride.

As she exited the elevator on the fourth floor, she silently argued with herself about what to do. Her stomach was unsettled from all of the turbulent feelings she was trying to deal with – whatever Bobby had waiting for her in the kitchen would have to wait. Letting herself into the fourth floor apartment, she quickly decided a hot shower would hopefully help figure out how to fix this situation she found herself in with Ranger, since he obviously was not going to offer up any solutions.

She stripped out of her clothes and turned on the shower. She turned toward the large mirror over the vanity and for the first time, really let herself look over her body post-accident. She cocked her head to the side as her eyes slowly roamed her upper body. The scrapes and bruises on her arms were faded to the point of almost being gone.

She closed her eyes momentarily to channel some inner strength, then focused with intent on her new scars that marked her chest. She took her hand and gently traced the dark red lace-like pattern of the lightning flower that started just over her left breast and vined over and down her left shoulder and upper arm. Reversing the movement, she ran the tips of her fingers back towards her breast, following the delicate lines and swirls in the pattern.

Huh. That spot looks like a twisted tear drop, almost. It would be more appropriate if it looked like a broken heart, she thought grimly.

As she continued to lightly trail the vining swirls, she became aware of a slight increase in the tingling, throbbing sensation traveling up and down along the scar's pathway. It felt almost pleasurable, almost like the tingle at the back of her neck she felt when Ranger was near.

She shook her head to clear it. And that's your cue to get in the shower. Might be time to check out the shower massager's water pressure.

The mirrors were almost steamed up at this point. Steph carefully climbed into the shower and let the warm water envelope her. She turned slowly, wetting her hair down then turned to face the shower head and let the water gently caress her front.

It was too much. The ache in her chest bubbled up until it felt like her heart would burst – for him, for herself, for what could be if they could just get there. Tears welled up and started to slide down her cheeks. Wrapping her arms around her middle, she turned her face up into the steady stream to wash them away. She wanted to give up and quit. She wanted to run away from this.

No. Not anymore. Time to grow a backbone and deal with this, Plum.

She squared her shoulders in determination. She rinsed off, then wrapped herself in a soft fluffy towel before making her way to the bedroom. She lay down in her thinking position, arms spread out to the side, legs dangling over the edge. She decided to do something she hadn't had the courage to do before now, but the high stakes involved now forced her hand. Closing her eyes and taking a couple of deep breaths, she opened her mind up and actively sought out Ranger's.

-tbc-

A/N: I wanted to let everyone know that my fall session has resumed, plus my oldest is getting married in 4 months so my time is not my own at the moment. This means the chapters will be spaced out a bit farther apart. Next, we will hear from Ranger.