Chapter 27-
The next few days moved with a quiet efficiently, Hector and Timmy finally working together to figure out how to better protect the Rangeman system. They were by no means best friends and still argued often, but at least now it was about how to do things on the computers verses refusing to even work together.
They were also able to rebuild the original chip that Timmy made by mostly accident last time. Between Hector's time, thoughts and equipment they had the entire system almost ready to go and ready to do its work. But this time instead of doing evil they were going to us the system to find the guys who were after Timmy. They now had names and were looking at locations, they had already found two of the hideouts but both were empty. Stephanie could feel both Timmy's and Hector's frustrations with the lack of apprehensions.
She had been true to her word and stayed in and worked for the last couple days but she had been in the building for over 10 days now and was losing her mind. She was walking into tell Ranger that her and Hector were going over to her mom's for the afternoon. She had already stopped to see Hector who gave her a scowl but agreed. She knew that if she took him with tattoos and "non-speaking English" she would be able to get in, see everyone and leave pretty quickly. Plus, she was sure that Hector would indulge her in a stop to get Boston creams and to see the bonds office since it blew up. Now to convince Ranger that it was ok to do all of these stops. Once she got his ok, she was golden. A few months ago she would have just snuck out and went to where she wanted to go, but he asked her/talked to her so she was going to do the same thing.
She walked up to Ranger's door and knocked and waited for him to gruffly say, "Come in."
She pushed the door open to see him sitting at his desk on the phone, he held up his finger with a small smile while he finished up his conversation to whoever he was talking to.
She looked around his desk while she waited, she saw he cleaned up his desk again and the photo frame was out again but she couldn't see the photo this time. She leaned back in the chair and tilted her head so she was looking up at the celling. She was debating on how she was gonna talk to him when she heard him say goodbye. She looked back up to see him set the phone down and decided that a smile was the way to start…. And a compliment.
"Hey, sexy." She said with a saucy grin.
He leaned back in his chair and raised his eyebrow, she rolled her eyes back. "What you doin?"
"Work." He said not changing his expression.
She stood and walked over and pushed his chair back so she could sit in his lap, it instantly had the reaction she wanted because his expression changed to a soft smile and he relaxed back. "What are you doing?" he asked back.
She leaned her head down on his shoulder, "I just finished my last search and now I am trying to stay awake. I am feeling a 1000% better but I am still tired by the afternoon." She kissed his jaw, "but that could be your fault, you like to keep me up at night."
She watched him grin and say, "I still get up and work out…. you sleep."
She rolled her eyes, "No sympathy for me, unbelievable." She leaned back so she was resting against his chest, "I start my extra training on Monday. Lester, Hector and Tank are ready to abuse me…. the only thing that is saving me is the Bobby still hasn't cleared me." She sighed a deep sigh, "I have to go see Bobby when I leave here…. Do you think he will keep me on desk rest a little while…. No physical activity…. maybe if I ask him nicely …. or you tell him to?"
Ranger wrapped his arms around her and laid his head on top of hers, "No and no." he said with a grin.
She shook her head, "See no sympathy…. Not sure why I like you." She said with another sigh. She looked over to the desk to see a new photo in the frame. This one was of the two of them sitting in the breakroom. This time they were both in Rangeman black, surrounded by some of the guys. She had her head thrown back in a deep laugh and he was looking at her with amused eyes. Another moment from months ago, from before they were together. Yet she could see the love from him even then. How long had they been in love with each other and avoiding it? How much time had they lost by ignoring what's so clear now?
She sighed again, tilting her head back so she could push her face into his neck.
He began rubbing her back in small circles, "What's wrong Babe?" he murmured into her hair.
She kissed him gently, "Nothing just a little tired …" She replied.
"Lier." He said back.
"Fine I was just thinking about the time we lost dancing around each other. We could have had so much more prefect time. So many more moments just like this." She said softly as she snuggled deeper into his embrace.
She felt his arms tighten, "I am not worried about the past, I am worried about now and right now is pretty prefect." He said tenderly back.
She looked up at him, "That's true… now to burst your bubble." She said with a grin.
Ranger's expression changed instantly from calm to blank in anticipation, "What?"
"Nothing big, just that today is the day." She said sitting up in his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"What's today?" he said gruffly.
"The day that I get to leave the building." She said with a massive grin.
Ranger immediately stiffened and looked away, after a moment he took a deep breath and looked back at her, "I knew it was coming. Mind if I came with you?" he questioned.
"Sorry Charlie, you have meeting this afternoon." She said, "But it's all planed out, I already talked to Hector and he's ready to go, even if he is a little mad he got stuck on grandma duty. Lester and Cal are following behind."
Ranger narrowed his eyes at her, "Sounds like you got it all planed out, right down to me being busy at the time you are choosing to go."
Stephanie went for honesty, "Yep."
Ranger raised an eyebrow at her.
She smiled, "I figured you would be ok with me going if I made sure I covered everything and you need to get use to me going out again …... so baby steps. If I let you go with me now, you will want to go every single time."
Ranger nodded at her, "So you got it all planed?"
Stephanie leaned back in his arms, "Yep talked to all the guys, Hector won't leave my side all afternoon… we will leave in about 45 min. Lester and Cal are gonna follow us and will be on alert to join in the party if anything happens. We are going straight to my mom's house for a little bit, then just a quick stop at the bakery and the bonds office before getting back no later than 5pm. All in all, I will be gone less than 3 hours."
She knew the moment her words registered in his brain because his nods became a scowl, "I never agreed to extra stops." He said grumpily.
She smiled at him, "That's because I never asked, and I have no plans to ask you if I can go." She watched as his blank face slammed down and she felt like she was sitting on a rock. "I agreed to let you know where I was going and take protection with me. I promised to make a plan and time table. I have done all of those things. ASKING where I could go was never on the list…. Because I don't have to ask to go anywhere, I am a big girl. I was considerate enough to keep them short and simple stops so we can ease you into me being out of the building. But Ranger, I can't stay in hear forever and frankly I won't. I am going to start going out again, including getting my own skips…. I am not a prisoner."
He closed his eyes for a moment before asking, "How mad would you be if I locked you up, upstairs?"
She gave him a gentle smile, "How mad would you be if I left the building without telling you anything or taking anyone with me right now?"
"Touché." He said back. "Fine, home in less than 3 hours?"
"That is the plan, it all depends how fast Hector can scare my mom into getting me to leave." She said with a giggle.
"Fine…. FINE." He ground out. "What is your plan for tomorrow?"
She smirked at him, "I was going to go easy and see if you wanted to go out to dinner. I wasn't really going out again until Monday when I start looking for skips again." She felt him stiffen back up, "Baby steps; out today, dinner with you tomorrow…work Monday."
"You will take a man with you Monday." He said briskly.
She raised an eyebrow, "I will or can you please?"
Ranger ground his teeth down, "Will you please?"
"Why yes I can Ranger…. see that wasn't so hard." She said with a giggle.
He narrowed his eyes at her and was about to reply when there was a knock at the door. He gently pushed her up and let her sit in his chair while he went over to the door. He opened it to see Tank waiting with a pile of papers in his hands.
Tank pushed passed Ranger into the room, "I am done…. DONE! You can't make me do any more of this paper work! I will quit, you have to hire someone." When he finished he looked over to see Stephanie sitting at the desk and went from frustration to blank face in an instant.
"What is she doing in here?" he asked grumpily.
Stephanie laughed, "I am living here for a little bit." She looked over to Ranger narrow his eyes at the little bit comment, "What's going on big man, anything I can help with?"
Tank looked at her for a moment before giving in, "Only if you can fix these stupid spread sheets, do the time sheets and schedule… I was not made for paper work; I was made for shooting people!" he grumbled.
She took pity on him, "Let me see them." She said holding out her hand to him.
His eyebrows shot up in surprise, he practically ran over and threw the papers at her. She smiled as she started to look through them, "I can probably help with most of this, too easy… as long as Ranger is ok with it."
Tank stepped over in front of Ranger before he could reply, "I am in charge of the paper work this week and I say that you can do it. When it's his turn next week and he can do whatever the fuck he wants."
Stephanie raised her eyebrows then tilted her head to see Ranger looking at Tank with a mixture of irritation and amusement. She turned her head back to Tank and smiled, "Well Tankie-poo since you are the boss… I got you." She said giggling.
Tank actually rolled his eyes at her and said, "I don't even care what you call me …... as long as you finish that shit." He said gesturing to the pile.
"Carful Tank, I might find something worse." She said with a grin.
"Worth it to not have to do that shit!" he said shaking his head. "And by the way I have a list of people asking for different times off in my office. You have to try and do that shit when making the scheduled." He gave her an evil grin. "Good luck."
Stephanie spread the papers over Rangers desk, "Ok, go grab me the paper."
Tank raised an eyebrow at her and ran out of the office to get her everything.
"Hay Ranger can I use your computer." She asked absent mindedly starting to write on the papers that has the schedule.
He walked over the kiss the top of her head, "Sure Babe." He grabbed some papers he had been working on and walked to sit on the couch.
She brought up a spread sheet and started to fill in times only looking up to see Tank walk in and hand her more papers. When he handed them to her he went over to sit next to Ranger on the couch, she could hear them murmuring back and forth over the papers Ranger had taken.
About 10 minutes later she hit print and was waiting for the papers when she looked over to see Ranger and Tank still looking over papers. She quickly stacked up all the books and papers that Tank had brought her. She quickly checked to make sure they were not looking and grabbed the frame from the desk and hid them in the pile bringing it up to her chest. She stood and grabbed the papers off the printer and walked over to Tank.
"Here you go, the schedule for the next 2 weeks." She said with a smile handing them over.
"You fucking liar, there is no way." He said almost pissed off.
Stephanie raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?' She said putting one hand on her hip.
Tank was looking through the papers in his hands, "There is no way you finished and followed all of the requests."
Stephanie narrowed her eyes, "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to create a work scheduled." She gave him a smirk, "Sorry if it was to advanced for you."
Tank narrowed his eyes right back, "I am telling everyone you created this, so if they get pissed off it's your fault… not mine."
She walked over to the door, "Go right ahead." She growled at Tank. "Ranger I am late; I will see you at dinner." She said with a bite.
Ranger just gave her a smirk, "Love you, Babe."
She gave him a soft smile back, "Love you too."
She stepped out and started to close the door before opening it back up and sticking her head back in, "Hay… Tank." She said with an evil look.
Tank looked up from the schedule he was still looking at with confusion, "What?"
She grinned an evil grin and said, "You are sitting right in the spot Ranger and I had sex last week…. Bye." She watched as he shot up off the couch yelling, "What the fuck?" and Ranger bursting out laughing; then slammed the door closed and giggled all the way down the hallway.
-/-
She made it down to Bobby's in time to beg to come back to see him later; but only after promising him that she wasn't just avoiding him but that it was actually Tank's fault he agreed to see her when she got back before dinner. She ran to the garage to see Hector standing there with Lester and Cal.
"Beautiful." Lester said with a grin, "Thanks for picking me, I got out of monitor duty… by the way Binkie is pissed at you."
Stephanie rolled her eyes, "Well you win some and you lose some." She looked over at Hector, "You ready to go."
She watched as he shook his head and began to pull shit out of his pockets. First he pulled out a watch and put it on her wrist, "Rastreador."
She watched as he pulled out a pair of earrings and said the same thing.
"Tracker." Lester said with a grin.
Stephanie rolled her eyes, "I know what he is saying, why do I need so many?" she asked and Hector pulled out a hair clip.
Lester had the balls to laugh, "Because you tend to get into shit without even trying."
She flipped him the bird then stuck in the earrings and hair clip and walked away before Hector could produce anything else. She jumped into the driver's seat of the truck and wait for Hector to get in next to her. As they pulled out from the garage he handed her another panic button, "Try not to need this crazy." He said with a grin.
This time she flipped him the bird and said, "Bite me."
First stop was her mom's house and with a radar she knew they possessed, her mom and grandma were waiting outside for her. As she pulled in she waved and watch as her mom's lips pushed into a thin line, "Ohhh this is gonna be fun." She murmured.
She waved over to Lester and Cal who parked behind her, then turned to Hector, "Look really mean and angry so they kick us out fast."
He just raised an eyebrow at her, "Really, you put a hundred trackers on me but can't help me get kicked out of my mom's house?" She said in a crabby whispered voice. She turned and smiled up at her mother and grandmother. "Mom… grandma…. how are you guys?" she asked in a fake cheery voice.
"Stephanie." Her mother said in a flat voice then turned and walked back into the house. She turned to her grandma who smiled at her and said, "Don't mind her, she is just crabby."
Stephanie rolled her eyes, "When is she not?"
Her grandmother laughed, "That's true… Now I want to hear all about your exciting life dear, come in and fill me in."
For once Stephanie smiled as she followed her grandmother into the house.
Stephanie followed her grandmother into the kitchen right in time to see her mother grab a drink out of the cabinet. She knew it was gonna be a rough conversation so she took a breath, "Mom, how are you doing?"
Helen turned to look at her, "Well as good as you can be when your daughter refuses to care about you anymore…. when your daughter cuts you out of her life."
Stephanie shook her head she knew her mom was going to bring up the hospital right away. "I didn't cut you out mom, I gave Ranger my medical rights…. Just like I am his."
Helen narrowed her eyes at Stephanie, "When did he become your medical proxy…. Before or after you were kidnaped?"
"Before mom…. Honestly we have been each other support system for a while, we didn't even realize how much until recently." Stephanie said back.
"So I wasn't important enough to be told?" Helen shot back.
"NO Mom, because we didn't even know it… we are still trying to figure it all out."
Helen shook her head at Stephanie, "That is the kind of man you want? You could have had Joseph. You could grow up and get a real job have…. have a real man…a real life."
"Stephanie." Helen continued, "Really, when are you gonna grow up? Why do you even hang out with these men, these thugs?"
Helen gestured towards Hector, and whispered in the not quiet voice, "My God that one has tattoos on his face."
Stephanie Slowly stood up from the table and she took a deep breath before she began, "That man ... he has a name... It's Hector."
She slowly shook her head in disappointment, anger and sadness, "And he has been here for me more than you ever have. He has saved my life, he makes me laugh and he makes me smile. I will always choose him over you. I will always choose all of them over you. So you have a choice to make... Do you want me in your life, or do you want me to be gone? Because if you make me choose between you and them... You will lose."
Stephanie stood up and walked over to her grandmother and pulled her into a tight hug, "Hey grandma I start work on Monday, want to have lunch... Just you and me?"
Edna looked at her with a kind and knowing smile, "I would love to my dear... You can tell me about that sexy man of yours."
Stephanie have a small giggle, "Sure I can." She walked over to the door but turned when her mother asked her a snotty voice, "What is he to you anyway? Is this Ranger your boyfriend?"
Stephanie narrowed her eyes at her mother, "No, he's my fuck buddy."
Helens eye grew huge while she stuttered, her grandmother wiggled her eyebrows, "I bet he's good at that!" And she heard Hector snort behind her.
She looked at her mother once more, "And those are tear drop tattoo's ... For people he's killed... I hope he doesn't add any more, any time soon... But he tends to hurt people that hurt me." Stephanie turned to walk out and saw her grandmother leaned over on the table laughing and her mother crossing herself. As she walked past Hector to the front door she swore she saw his lips twitch, "Don't even think about smiling." She growled.
She stomped all the way to the truck and hopped into the passenger seat, she watched as he pulled out and started down the street. She knew he was waiting for her to speak first, but she was so ashamed of what her mother had said about the guys, so hurt and more than anything angry.
Finally, she broke down, "God, she makes me so mad... She is never just happy that I am happy... I will never be good enough for her." She finished with a small catch in her voice.
Hector pulled into a parking spot and turned to look at her, but she refused to look back. Finally, she looked over at him with a tear running down her face, "I am sorry about what she said. I don't ever think that; I never feel that way."
Hector raised an eyebrow, "I know that." He tilted his head, "I think part of her issue is that she wants the best for you."
Stephanie's eyebrows shot up, "Really?!"
He gave her a passing smile, "Her version of what's best and yours are different. She is not the first person to look at us and see only what's on the outside. It takes a special person see what's on the inside of someone. Someone like you, that's once in a life time for most of us. Give your mom a break." He grinned at the completely shocked expression on her face.
"Your mom's version of the best for you, is married to a regular guy, who makes a good check and having lots of kids." He grinned at her look of fear.
"One maybe... Eventually ... Probably not" Stephanie shuddered, "Kid's scare the shit out of me." She whispered like someone could hear her. "You need to remember to feed them and not blow them up in cars!"
Hector laughed at her, "You already take care of all of us... I think you would be ok." He shook his head, "but you are getting off track, I said HER version of the best for you is what she wants. She has to learn that your version of what's best for you is different ... Give her a break for now."
Stephanie crossed her arms angrily, "For some she so clearly insulted... You seem to be just fine with her."
Hector smirked back, "No, your mom is batshit crazy! BUT she loves you even if she doesn't always show it in a way you understand... I don't have that." He shrugged, "Don't want you to regret it if you lose it."
Stephanie looked at him for a moment before rolling her eyes, "Fine, I will call her later... but she has to apologize to all of you!"
Hector shrugged again, "Whatever you want... She didn't hurt me any."
Stephanie shook her head, "Well she hurt me for you... And that's not ok."
Stephanie jumped and nearly hit the roof of the car when Lester knocked on the window next to her. She rolled down the window, "What the fuck." She yelled.
"You guys ok; you been sitting here for a while." He asked.
Stephanie raised her eyebrow, "Yes, Hector is just keeping me from killing my crazy mother." She looked out the window to see they were in front of the bakery.
"Go get Cal." She said, "Might as well have all of us fill up on sugar and carbs... Cause this day has been longgggg."
She watched as Lester smiled brightly and ran to get Cal. She hopped out of the truck followed by Hector and knew the day was gonna get longer when she spotted Joe walking over to her.