Disclaimer: All the characters you recognize from the Stephanie Plum books belong to Janet Evanovich. The Inferna Angelus' on the other hand are solely mine as is the tiny terror tiger that rules them.

A/N: 10,000 words tweaked and polished for your enjoyment. Love-bug-hug to my beta, suzq515 - you're da bestest!

Chapter 44 – Things Coming To A Head

Rangeman, Trenton, New Jersey

Ranger sat in his leather chair behind his desk trying to quell the burning anger pervading him. Disobeying orders from the FBI Deputy Director was not an option; but having Brown back on the team was no option either. Ranger felt as though liquid fire was racing through his veins. He'd run ten miles on the treadmill and gone several rounds with a punching bag in the gym; but neither aided in finding a solution nor alleviating the wrath in him. For a brief moment, Ranger sensed a disconnection within himself and wondered whether something was wrong; but as soon as the thought flared up it was dowsed by a tidal wave of self-belief that left no room for any doubts.

"I'm the fucking best operative in the world. Rangeman is one of the best security companies in the States thanks to me," Ranger mumbled to himself. "I won't let some polyester wearing desk jockey fuck with me – no matter how important he thinks he is.

Reaching for his phone he called Junior's cell.

"You are back on the team," he snapped as soon as the call was connected. "I expect you in the lobby tomorrow morning and you better be able to keep up with the rest."

Dialing another number, Ranger sat back in his chair and sorted through his thoughts. When his handler at the Pentagon answered, he straightened up.

"What do you want, Ranger?"

"I need a medic, preferably in full training."

"What about Brown?"

"Medical leave."

"I'll see what I can do," his handler answered and disconnected.

Grabbing his cup of coffee, Ranger made his way to the fifth floor. Woody and Silvio were working silently on the encrypted information from DuPuits' various computers and notebooks. He should pull them off. Who knows whether this whole NISE affair wasn't a scheme invented by 'The Cunt' to sabotage the mission.

Ranger stopped mid-step and frowned. Perhaps that was the key. The IAs were buyable, everyone could contract them. They could be hand in glove with the scumbags in Colombia. A ferocious growl escaped his throat causing Woody and Silvio to jerk in surprise. Ranger continued his inner ramblings contemplating how he'd been so stupid allowing the traitors to take over control. They fed him one lie after the other. Luckily, he caught onto their scheme and kicked them out.

Without acknowledging the two men at their work stations, Ranger sat down and projected the latest satellite images he received from the NGA on the three big screens and scrutinized them. There was absolutely nothing indicating any kind of facility let alone extended laboratories to produce a bio-weapon.

"Underground production plants," Ranger growled incredulously shaking his head. "I bet this entire time we've been looking in the wrong places thanks to those fucking traitors. The Colombian scumbags sure as hell operate around Bogotà and not in some fucking shithole somewhere in the jungle."

To his right Woody and Silvio watched their boss alarmed. Ranger didn't do monologues and even for the employees outside the mission team his behavioral changes became more and more obvious.

"I don't pay you daydreaming assholes to fucking stare off into space. Mats 1800 hours," Ranger snarled at them, making both of them jump as he left the communication room.

"What the fuck," Woody looked over at Silvio who just shrugged stunned.

"I guess we'll be finished by tomorrow night and then I'll beat it out of here," Silvio answered. "Ranger's never been very approachable; but lately he's downright hostile. No need to stay any longer than necessary," Silvio shook his head turning back to the screens in front of him.

Back at his office, Ranger sat down and scrolled through the contacts in his phone. Eventually finding his target he pressed dial and rolled his neck.

"Miss Raider," Ranger frostily greeted the young woman at the other end. "The satellite images you keep sending me are worth shit. Check the foothills east of Bogotà. My latest intel shows some drug related activity in that region."

Without waiting for a response, Ranger terminated the call and steepled his fingers under his chin. He needed to think. The more time that passed the more convinced he became that NISE was indeed a fabrication conjured by the IA Bitch. He'd get his men to Colombia, sniff out that fucking drug lord, fulfill the mission and then come back home. Fucking piece of cake! He wasn't the best for nothing

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Fairfax, Virginia

Kathy Raider uneasily looked around. She was sitting in her tiny cubicle and wasn't sure what to do next. It had been a year since she was accepted at the NGA and was still stuck with trainee-status. She was unassertive and withdrawn invariably lacking the fortitude to speak up when it came to promotions. So, when Darnell Terrell, head of the NGA, approached her with a private assignment, Kathy was eager to prove herself.

Once a week she was supposed to send a bunch of satellite images provided by Terrell to the CEO of a security company in Trenton, New Jersey. Terrell said he had neither the time nor the desire to deal with the man. Kathy jumped at the opportunity; but now something seemed amiss and she was terrified to report to Terrell. He was an imposing man, former CIA as rumors had it. His eyes were steel grey and sharp as razors. When he looked at you, it felt like a chill was traveling down your spine.

Kathy gulped, rose and with dragging feet slowly made her way to Terrell's office. Terrifyingly his secretary wasn't at her place. Taking a shuddering breath she squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her teeth. She had so hoped for the lovely older lady to be her shield. For a moment Kathy paused and wondered why the heck she was so afraid? She had done nothing wrong. Determined to not let herself appear weak, she squared her shoulders, sucked in a sharp breath and with clammy hands knocked on the massive mahogany door.

"Mr. Terrell," Kathy Raider reverentially entered the impressing office of the head of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

"Miss Raider, what a pleasure. Please, take a seat," Terrell smiled sweetly and gestured to the blood red L-shaped leather sofa opposite his desk whilst his menacing glare bore into the nervous woman. "What can I do for you?" Terrell was markedly soft-spoken. Combined with his chilly eyes and profound imperious aura he gave most of the employees the creeps.

Kathy sat nervously wringing her hands and fidgeting on the expensive, butter-soft couch. With each passing second, her anxiety level sky-rocketed thanks to the formidable man before her.

"Mr. Terrell, regarding the assignment you gave me; those satellite images I'm supposed to send to Rangeman," Kathy's already thin voice cracked.

"Yes, Miss Raider? Are there any problems?" Terrell narrowed his glacial eyes in her direction, knowing full well its effect on the weak, mousy trainee in front of him.

"It's just, well," Kathy cleared her throat stalling in hopes to shake the feeling of inadequacy. "The Rangeman CEO called a few minutes ago, Sir and Mr. Manoso claims the pictures would be worthless. He suggested images from the foothills east of Bogotà. Something about drug-related movement in the area? What shall I do, Sir?" Kathy was displeased with her lack of self-confidence; but Terrell was an imposing figure in the department and at the moment his gaze left her doubting her own capabilities to complete this simple task.

"I see," Terrell scrutinized Kathy Raider frostily to further fluster the young woman. She had been a sterling choice. The perfect victim for his scheme: socially isolated, easy to manipulate and oh so anxious to please. "Well, from what I hear you are doing a fine job. Keep it and I may be tempted to hand you another assignment once this one is completed." With a thorny smirk, Terrell stood effectively dismissing his fidgeting, sweating pawn. "I will take care that you are provided with what Mr. Manoso requires.

Blushing, Kathy flitted out of the room and nearly ran into Marvey who took the door from her. She recognized the massive man as one of those selected experts who were processing the satellite images broadcasted from the countless spy satellites in space.

"Hey, you're Kathy, right?" He smiled benignant at the flustered woman in front of him. "Everything OK with you?"

He sounded genuinely concerned, making Kathy blush even more and averting her eyes while she wordlessly hurried off.

Marvey frowned. Rage had phoned him earlier telling him to watch for an opportunity to get the bugs out of Terrell's office; but failed to say why. Were things getting tight? Was Terrell suspecting anything? Was he interrogating the employees? Instantly, Marv's heart rate increased. Did Terrell find the bugs? Taking a deep breath he entered Terrell's office and closed the door.

"Ah, Mr. Wayne, good to see you," Terrell greeted Marvey with his usual sweet smile and icy eyes. "Please, take a seat."

Marvey sat down on the leather couch Kathy Raider just vacated and curiously looked at his boss. The constant playful bickering with Rage and the guys had taught him some stress resilience and Esme had fun teaching him a poker face worthy of an IA. As long as he kept his head in the game, nobody would be able to see what a scared mess he was behind the calm exterior.

"Marvey, you are my best analyst. The NGA is about to undergo some fundamental staff movements. In the course of those maneuvers, I want to offer you a promotion as my Personal Assistant for Geospatial Intelligence Analysis. You'd get your own office and would work in close collaboration with me on intelligence assignments of highest security level. How does that sound to you?" Terrell smiled his angelic sweet smile while Marvey felt like he was examined with x-ray equipment.

When in wonder about your vis-à-vis, don't act out of the ordinary. Stick to who you are and try to leave the situation as soon as possible without raising suspicion. The moment you are safe, call us. Rage's instruction echoed in Marvey's mind. Resisting the urge to grip his chest above his dashing heart, Marv successfully kept his nervousness at bay.

"Wow, I don't know what to say," the surprise on Marvey's face was completely believable. "I'm taken aback and feel humbled." For a long moment Marv looked at the carpet as though he was collecting his thoughts. "Truth be told I've never seen myself in such an executive position; but now with your offer…," he trailed off, credibly acting genuinely grateful.

"I have full confidence in your abilities, Marvey. Otherwise I wouldn't offer you a position of such high esteem; but you have to decide soon. I have others in mind who will jump at the chance. How about we meet tomorrow nine a.m. - does that work for you?" Terrell was all friendly and portraying the compassionate supervisor.

Marvey had him exactly where he wanted Terrell. He needed time to talk to Rage so with a thankful and inferior smile on his face he looked at his boss. "Thanks for your understanding, Mr. Terrell. I'm still short of words. I'll think about your generous offer and we'll talk again tomorrow morning; thanks again."

With a big smile plastered on his face, Marv went back to his cubicle and worked on keeping up pretenses. When his shift was finally finished and it was safe to leave the building without raising suspicions, he went to his car in the lot and let out a long breath once he was comfortably seated. The cell was already in his hand to dial Rage's number, when he was suddenly overcome by a gnawing uneasiness. What if they were tapping his cell? What if the car was bugged? Shit Shit Shit! Marv's mind was racing. For the first time he realized this wasn't just some exiting spy game. His life could be on the line and he needed to contact Rage immediately. Turning the keys in the ignition and giving himself a pep-talk that he could do this, Marv started off towards DC.

Rangeman, Trenton, New Jersey

"Are you fucking serious?" The giant of a black man thundered in front of Ranger.

Tank and Lester were wrathfully glaring at him, the three men only separated by the massive mahogany desk between them. The air was cackling with electricity, the hostility thickly filling the room like palpable fog. When Tank and Les stormed into Ranger's office, they had slammed the door shut before they cornered their partner about his decision to allow Junior back on the mission team. Now the fourth floor was reverberating with their combined shouting, making the present Rangemen look at each other uneasily.

"You goddamned fuckhead! How could you make this decision without our agreement?" Lester snarled his face red with fury.

"I don't have to consult you for the fucking shit I decide," Ranger shouted back at them. "This is my company, it's my decision."

"Fuck you! This is OUR company, asshole. You have to fucking ask us before you make any company related decision. I told you before that I would leave should you keep this shit up," Tank's loud booming voice made the glass cabinet rattle.

"Then go!" Ranger roared. "Go and crawl after those fucking IA's! Crawl after The Cunt! I surely won't hold you back. You are nothing but dead weight to me. Perhaps they'll let the two of you fuck their team whore, too."

The vein at his neck was bulging and pulsating with his fury. Before he could brace himself, Lester had him by the collar and threw him across the room, smashing him into the opposite wall. Those who smiled at Les, labeling him as figure of fun, weren't aware of the brutal beast residing deep within his soul, safely kept away in a cage. The fierce creature abetted his survival on the numerous suicide missions in the past. Now it was roaring with unmitigated rage; it wanted out and Les opened the cage. Within the blink of an eye, the two cousins were at each other's throat, no holding back. Their fists crashed on the other's body and face with incalculable speed. Skin and flesh tore apart under the impact of their hits. Blood squirted, covering their hands and faces. Each of the men jostling for the upper hand, wrestling for a tight enough grip to choke their foe. Alarmed, Tank hurried to the door and threw it open.

"Cal, Zero, Ram," he hollered to the cubicles. "Help me get these fucking idiots restrained before they kill each other."

When the three men rushed into the room and grabbed Lester's shirt, Tank roughly pulled Ranger away.

"Zero, help me," Tank panted, struggling to muscle Ranger down.

"Let go of me," Ranger screamed. His eyes were popping from their sockets, his face was a deep shade of red masking his mocha latte complexion and the veins on both sides of his neck were billowing to the point of near rupture. He was totally out of control. "I will give this traitor what he deserves! Fucking imposter! He's nothing but a manwhore! Let me fucking go!" Ranger kicked around and fought Zero and Tank's grip on him tooth and nail. "I'll get you Lester! I'll get you and when I do you'll wish we'd never met! You good for nothing betrayer! Fucking around is the only thing you're good at doing. You couldn't keep your pants up back then and you can't keep'em up now."

With inhuman strength Ranger ripped out of Zero and Tank's grip and in a flash charged savagely at his cousin. The force of his attack caused Lester, Cal and Ram to stumble backwards. In the next second the two fighters flew out of Ranger's office into the hallway. The hall quickly flooded with Rangemen straining to separate the two fighters; but the force of their combat was overpowering. None of the other lethal men were able to get a solid enough grip on the two unleashed beasts.

For several minutes the gruesome battle continued without any sign of halting. Lester and Ranger's shirts were torn; their hands, faces and upper bodies blood smeared; the sounds coming from them barbaric. Tank, Cal, Ram, Woody, Hal and Vince circled the battle watching for a gap in the fierce action; but with the movements so rapid and precise the onlookers had no chance of dividing the feuding men.

Tank knew they had to act and fast before one of them would kill the other. Desperately he tried to grab Ranger by the belt of his cargoes; but caught Les instead. For a fraction of a second, Lester lost his balance; but that was all Ranger needed. With indescribable force he threw himself at his cousin and they both crashed to the floor with Ranger on top. The thud of Lester's head smashing on the floor echoed off the surrounding walls. Immediately, Ranger's hands were around Les' throat and kept slamming his head into the linoleum while choking him.

"You're filth," Ranger screamed insanely. "Nothing but filth! You don't fucking deserve to live! You fucked her! She was mine and you fucked her! Some fucking cousin you are betraying your family! I hate you! Now you're fucking doing it again! You brought the cunt into this company and she's taking over. Just like Jeanne-Ellen! Fucking around and then she'll vanish and take everything with her. You aren't worth shit," Ranger forcefully spit into Lester's face.

Before Ranger realized what was happening Tank, Cal, Hal and Vince picked him up and muscled him down. At the same time, Ram and Woody pulled an unconscious Les to the side where he was instantly surrounded by a protective circle of Rangemen. As soon as Ranger was down and secured, Zip quickly injected him with a strong sedative that Bobby kept for emergencies at his infirmary. Without a medic in the building, Zip had taken over some of Bobby's duties; but the costs for stopovers at the ER had skyrocketed. One look at Lester told Zip that they had to get him to St. Francis and fast. He was out cold, a wound on his head was bleeding profusely and with the repeated smashing to the floor a concussion would be the least of their worries.

Finnigan's Wake, Washington DC

Marvey sat at one of the tables in the shaded background of the Irish pub and waited for his friends. It was a small local place he regularly frequented. The red brick exterior wore a weathered look and a thorough cleaning of the lattice windows was long overdue; but the atmosphere inside retained its rustic charm. The food was authentic Irish fare and the owner took good care of his patrons.

On his way back from Fairfax, Marv had stopped at a gas station and had called Rage from their payphone. Just as he took the first sip of his Guinness, the front door opened and Furor, Rage and Esme entered the pub. The murmur filling the front room over the quiet music immediately stopped as the patrons took in the lethal men and woman entering their safe haven. It wasn't the first time they were meeting here; but with the fierceness the IA's were exuding on a good day, they were danger personified when they were in their zone like tonight.

"Hey man," Rage and Furor greeted him with fist bumps and a manly hug before Esme could hug him close. "Any conspicuities on your way here?"

"No, nothing as far as I am aware. Where are the rest of the guys?"

"Agony, Rev and two friends of ours are monitoring the area just in case; V is checking your car for bugs. Afterward he's coming in to check your cell," Rage replied.

Ten minutes later V immerged next to them.

"No bugs; but I did find a GPS tracker professionally attached to the undercarriage. It couldn't be found without specifically looking for it," V updated them while he took his seat and helped himself to a sip of Marvey's beer. "I left it there until we decide how to handle the situation. Your cell?" He stretched his hand toward Marv who watched fascinated as V quickly took the phone apart to its single components. "All clear," the full-time medic part-time computer geek stated satisfied.

"Does that mean I can call you from my cell?" Marvey questioned looking at his friends.

"No," Esme signed with clipped and precise movements. "It just means that there's no GPS tracker in your phone. It can still be tapped. Don't use it to get in contact with us." A war was brewing deep within T. Her face pulsating with self-directed wrath causing Marv to gulp. This wasn't his spunky little Tigger. The aura of the woman in front of him was unsettling.

"Here," Rage pushed a secure SAT phone over the table. "Use this. It's an untraceable satellite phone for emergencies; otherwise, use public payphones."

Once more Marvey looked around at the faces of his friends. Their laid back personas which he had grown accustomed to were absent from their appearance. Each of them was humming with ferocity and for the first time Marvey could see why people would be scared of them.

"Listen," he tried to appease them. "It probably is nothing; but he's offering me a promotion. Think about what this means for you. I would work in close collaboration with him and possibly have access to his office any time, day and night. I'll be in the Lion's Den. Think about the wealth of information I can gather for you," he smiled, excited at the idea of helping them even more. When his eyes fell on T's face, Marvey shrunk in his seat.

"Are you insane?" She signed forcefully. "Don't you get it? They are after you, Marv. They put a tracker on you. I don't give a flying fuck about any information you could get. You won't go back to the NGA. Furor, Rage and V will accompany you home so you can pack some bags. We will take care that you are safe. There are several options of secure houses we can offer you. You will stay there until the threat to you is eliminated." Esme's face was hard, her vibes cold. For as long as they've been friends, Marvey had never seen T so irate before.

"But," he looked to Rage seeking support. "But if I don't appear at work tomorrow they will know that something's fishy."

"He's right, Angel," Rage spoke up. "Perhaps, at this point they only have an assumption; but nothing more. Think about it, IF they had more, Marv would already be dead. Taking him away from work will put the spotlight on him and NISE will know that we are onto them."

"I won't put him in any further danger!" T was right in Rage's face. Her blood was boiling. She chastised herself for falling back on Marvey in the first place. He was a friend, a close friend, a civilian who thought this was some exciting game.

"Esme, please," Marv looked at her with pleading eyes. "I can help. Consider it cashing in a favor, please. I'm the best chance for you to have access to any satellite pictures. Please let me go back and do my job. I promise I will be cautious."

"No!" Her icy glare sent chills down Marvey's spine far worse than those caused by Terrell.

"T," Furor quietly turned to her. "You know you'll have my full support whatever you decide; but Rage and Marvey are right. We have no evidence that Terrell found the bugs. There's a good chance that NISE simply knows about Marvey's personal contact with us and because of that they want to keep close tabs on him. You know damn well that when he doesn't show up to work tomorrow, a bulls-eye's gonna appear on his head. We would achieve the opposite of what we want. Whereas, he goes back to work as though it's just an ordinary day; but we put safety measures in place in case something gathers our suspicion, he'd be safer than otherwise."

T furious locked eyes with Furor. I won't let him get any deeper than he already is. He's a fucking civilian, Furor, and a close friend! I want him safe! Period!

Angel, Furor looked at her intently. He's my friend, too, and I would be devastated knowing I was responsible for his injuries. Believe me, his safety is all I have in mind.

Then we'll get him to a safe house and this conversation will be over! T glared back at him.

If that is your last word, we'll do that; but are you really sure it's the safest thing for him? Furor hated to stand up to her, to see the malevolence in her eyes directed at him; but that was the reason the guys had voted him as second in command. He had it in him to stand up to her and to hold his ground. Out of all the other IA's, he and T complemented each other perfectly.

The whole time Marvey had watched the staring contest between his friends as the energy between them got chillier and chillier. He didn't want his friends to fight over him. Before Rage could hinder him, he spoke up, his voice firm.

"Esme, years back you saved my life and because of you I suddenly had a bunch of friends who liked me and wholeheartedly supported me through my struggles. Since then, we've fought through some really bad times together including Grief's death, your attempted suicide and the darkness that followed afterward. You all have done so much for me. Now I have the chance to give some of that back to you. Please accept my offer. I'm fully aware of the dangers I face. Not going back and providing you with the SAT images could lead to your death. You may not care about that; but I do. I want you to come back from this assignment, I mean ALL of you," Marv paused to catch the eyes of each person at the table. "Cuz without you my life wouldn't be worth shit. Don't mistake me for some stupid civilian who doesn't know his ass from his elbow. Consider me a true friend who wants to help you as best as he can, even though it puts his life on the line."

Without advance warning, T vaulted from her chair toppling it over as the muscles of her upper body tensed visibly. A noiseless roar, begging to be heard, tore through her gaping mouth before she slammed both hands flatly on the table. Her team stilled in the face of her sudden unexpected outburst; while Marvey and the nearby patrons blanched. Violently T turned, kicked her chair out of the way and stormed off in direction of the bathrooms.

"Why is she so angry?" Marv blurted out.

"Because she cares for you deeply," Furor answered his question calmly while V picked the chair up. His eyes lingered on the spot Esme had vanished and his heart hurt for her. He had a feeling that finally his little Angel could have reached the end of her rope. "She's lost many people she's loved in her short life," he turned back to Marv. "That's why she's so protective of those she allows in her heart. A person can lose just so many loved ones before it becomes too much."

A few minutes later T came back. Her hairline showed the wet remains of her freshening up and she appeared to be calmer, more composed.

"Your condo has two guestrooms, right?" She signed straight to Marvin who nodded.

"I will hire two bodyguards that will remain with you 24/7. Until they arrive, Rage and V will stick to you like glue," she looked over to her two brothers and they lifted their head in affirmation. "Furthermore, you will accept a new car, fitted for the demands of the situation. During the day, the bodyguards will be in the lot of the NGA. At night, they will keep you safe at home. You WILL NOT leave without them, no matter how small of an errand you have to run. They will become your constant shadows. You'll keep the SAT phone. Should anything suspicious arise and they aren't around, you'll call them and they will get you out – no matter where or the consequences. Are we clear?" She menacingly stared at Marv.

"Yes," he gulped and nodded his head. "Shall I accept the offered promotion?"

"Would you have accepted it under different circumstances?" T signed with a blank face.

"No, I'm not one who likes to be put in the spotlight."

"Then you will decline. Rage and V will work out what you'll tell Terrell. I'm finished here," T replied and turned on her heels.

Agony, Furor, truck! She bellowed harshly in her mind as she angrily pushed her way out of the pub, making the two men on surveillance feverishly scramble back to their Escalade double time.

Great Falls, Virginia

When they arrived at Great Falls half an hour later, T was shaking with fury. Before the truck could come to a stop, she jumped from the backseat and stormed into the house. Bobby was just crossing the polished marble foyer when she barreled past him toward the kitchen, not acknowledging him at all. Within seconds, an ear-deafening noise originating from the kitchen brought Bobby, Agony and Rev charging in that direction. T had the cupboards open and was violently flinging dishes to the floor and the opposite wall. Plates, bowls, mugs, cups and saucers were shattered over the tiles in myriads of shards. The kitchen was pulsing with destructive energy. With each throw, T seemed to scream, her body convulsing. She was undiluted wrath and for the first time Bobby caught a glimpse of the relentless warrior that was hidden below her laid back ways.

"What the fuck happened?" He turned to the two IAs behind him with stormy eyes.

Agony and Rev simultaneously shook their heads. "We don't know, man. She, Furor and V were meeting Marv inside the pub. We were surveying the area together with Button and CP when her ice-cold command to meet at the Escalade blasted out of nowhere. So we high tail it back to the truck. Then silence. No explanation, no conversation, nothing, the whole way back here."

Bobby turned back around to see pots and pans followed by the coffee maker sailing through the air heading for the massive walls on the opposite side of the room. He ogled the craters embedded into the wall from the impact. T's face was red under her roasted hazelnut skin as she launched vicious kicks and punches against the cupboard doors before heaving the microwave from its place and smashing that onto the floor, as well. Somewhere in the back of her mind a voice was screaming at her to stop; but she couldn't. Pictures of Sassà, Linho, Hurt, Slash, Grief, her uncle Ramiro and Jokester were passing by her inward eye. They were all dead. She had let them in, she had loved them, and they had all been taken from her. T's eyes were on fire, her movements wild and uncontrolled, the anger burning up in her. Soundlessly screaming at the pain in her heart, she grabbed the ceramic canister with the flour from the counter and flung it against the wall. Instantly flour-dust started to spread throughout the kitchen, crawling along the floor, hanging in the air like a never-ending fog; but T didn't care. Next, she swept containers with Cheerios and Fruit Loops onto the mix of flour and shards giving the destruction around her some cheerful ambiance. The thermoses for the guys' coffee followed and then her eyes fell on the butcher's block with the knives. With a feral snarl she ripped one knife after the other out of the block and hurled it across the room into the wooden door of the pantry. Bobby saw blood oozing from a wound somewhere on her throwing hand and cautiously inched towards her just to freeze within his first step. Without ever losing steam or blinking an eye, T gripped her Baby Glock from behind her back and emptied it into the bullet-proof glass of the sliding door. Embedded rounds now obscured the mansion's otherwise breathtaking view of the Potomac.

Agony, Rev and Bobby stood shocked at T's violent outburst. For one of the longest seconds of their lives, their hearts and breaths stopped before restarting again. Before they could react, T turned and pushed past them, barreling out of the house. The three men scrambled to follow her. They found her in the gym a few minutes later, brutally pounding away on one of the punching bags dangling from the ceiling. She hadn't taped her hands and her knuckles were already bruising from the insane speed and force she was putting out.

"Leave me alone with her," Bobby turned to Rev.

"No," Agony answered. "We are respons…"

"An. . ," Bobby impatiently interrupted him mid word. "I'll call you IF I can't handle her. OK? Please, just let me try to reach her," he aimed to pacify Esme's self-appointed guardian.

With a few encouraging nudges, Rev led his partner out of the gym and back toward the mansion, leaving Bobby and Esme to themselves. Once the door had closed behind them, Bobby cautiously approached T to hold the bag for her.

The force of her blows surprised him. So far he'd just dealt with the various facets of Esme and got to know T, the cool and laid back leader of the IAs. This, however, was none of them. On the other side of the punching bag, moving lithesome like a cat of prey, was nothing less than a lethal fighting machine letting loose of all the pent up anger in her.

Watching the empty glacial expression on her face, her focused eyes and the undiluted force of her movements, Esme reminded Bobby of a female Muerte. He wondered how much of his Love was left in the woman in front of him. He got his answer twenty minutes later, when T's movements slowed down and became less forceful. As sudden as the outburst began, it ended.

Gradually, Bobby stepped in front of the bag watching his woman, attempting to assess what anger remained in her. Esme looked up into Bobby's compassionate eyes and the fire of rage in her was gone, her green eyes sparkling with captivating red flecks full of spirit. It was exactly like years back when Muerte pounded the bag. The moment he was finished and looked up, he was gone and Rubén was looking at him with his brown twinkling eyes full of mischief. Bobby didn't know what had happened to grant this bout of wrath; but he knew exactly where he wanted to have his Esme. Opening his arms, he was relieved when she stepped into his embrace and let herself be engulfed by his calm and strength.

"How about we go back and you take a shower while I find Agony and Rev to assure them that everything is OK. Then we snuggle into the hammock and you can tell me what happened that had you so agitated." Bobby rubbed soothing circles on Esme's back and felt her gradually relax and release the last of the remaining tension cooped up in her tiny body.

When Bobby entered their bathroom fifteen minutes later, the sight in front of him took his breath away. Three of the shower cubicle's walls were made of glass allowing for the view of the magnetic beauty in front of him. Esme was way too thin for Bobby's peace of mind, the skin stretching tight over her ribs and pelvic bones; but nonetheless her body was sensuously shaped like an hourglass. Her shoulders were defined and powerful, the muscles on her upper arms chiseled and her pecs held her breasts firmly in place like two round globes begging to be touched and kissed.

In his thoughts Bobby felt his tongue circling her nipples before gently sucking on them, alternating between the two before exploring the valley between her soft mounds. Even in his mind he could taste Esme's sinful flavor. Leaving her breasts, the vast playground of her abs unfurled in front of his greedy tongue. Due to the anatomic difference, it was a hard for a woman to develop the feature of visible abs; yet Esme's firm four-pack, the maximum the female body was capable, bore a silent witness to the strenuous workout she packed away every day. God, he loved to let his mouth travel along the ridges of those four vibrating muscles. Feeling the strain on his zipper, Bobby shook his head to get back to reality.

Esme was still motionless standing under the shower. The water cascading down all around her adorned her curvaceous form as a soft frame orchestrating the most captivating view he'd ever seen in a woman. Gripping his chest to keep his erratic heart from fluttering out of his body, Bobby gave his eyes the permission to revel in the sight of his Love. When Esme still hadn't moved after several minutes, he quickly stripped off his clothes and stepped into the shower.

Hey Baby, he gently pulled her back against his chest and tightened his arms around her. Is everything OK?

Esme's shake of the head broke his heart. Without opening her eyes she turned in his embrace, snaked her arms around his waist and held tight.

Can you just hold me for a while? Bobby heard her thoughts in his mind.

Instead of a reply he stepped even closer to her, making them stand head to toe skin to skin under the spray while he tried to give her the comfort she sought. For a small eternity the only sound in the bathroom was the sprinkling of the shower head descending upon them with the softness of warm summer rain.

Eventually, Bobby felt the muscles in Esme's back gaining tension as though preparing to straighten. When she finally gazed up at Bobby's face, her eyes were shining with love and reverence triggering his heart to miss a beat or two.

Will you let me wash you? He thought while he looked into the deep green pools of love.

When Esme nodded her head, never leaving his eyes, he grabbed the bottle with her shower gel and started to lovingly lather her body. Once he deemed her clean, he washed her hair, rinsed it, applied a generous amount of conditioner and thoroughly rinsed her again before gently turning her around.

"Thanks for letting me do this," he whispered, his forehead touching hers.

Thanks for doing it, Esme cupped Bobby's face and softly kissed him. I have to contact someone to get bodyguards for Marvey and I need to talk to Furor for a minute. Plus, I'm starved. Are you OK with us going downstairs for a while so I can finish up the day? Then we can eat something before we retreat back to our Sanctum here.

Of course Baby, anything for you.

An hour later the two lovers finally laid snuggled close in the hammock on the roof terrace silently watching the sun setting in the west. Esme's head was peacefully resting on Bobby's chest over his heart while he drew lazy circles on her back, completely lost in thoughts.

I can smell smoke, she smiled up at him after a while.

"You know what I'm thinking about," he kissed the tip of her nose and drew her head back onto his chest. "Will you tell me why you got so angry today?"

For a moment Bobby felt Esme's body tense up then release a long exhale.

Marvey's life is in danger. I wanted to put him into a secure house to keep him safe; but he wanted to go back to the NGA to keep digging around for us. Rage was on his side, then Furor fell in step with them, too, and I saw red.

Bobby pensively contemplated Esme's words. That's not all there is, he pressed a lingering kiss into her soft and fragrant curls.

For the longest time there was silence between them. Just when Bobby wondered whether he should say something, he felt Esme take a long shuddering breath.

Something's changing in me. I am changing and it unsettles me, Esme thought.

Bobby couldn't help but tense under her. What do you mean, Baby?

I don't know. It's difficult to explain, Esme hesitated. I love my work, I really do. The Inferna Angelus is my purpose in life. I accept there are risks that accompany any of our assignments and I've never doubted my commitment, not for one second. It's not that I want to die; but up until a few weeks back I didn't care either.

"And now you care?" Bobby asked quietly, knowing she would read his thought.

Esme nodded. I'm not sure how to explain it. I grew up in a world of brutality and bloodshed where being violent was the only way to survive. I always believed that was how to live a life; but these last weeks you've showed me a different life. An existence that isn't determined by the fight, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. First, I'll be honest, it unsettled me, made me anxious; but now … it's as though with every day that passes and we are getting closer, pieces of my shell are being chipped away unveiling a new and different Esme. A woman I don't recognize. She is soft and has longings that I'm not accustomed to feeling. Suddenly the thought of continuously having to fight and risk my and others' lives is repelling; but it's my whole nature of being. I don't know how to live a secure and peaceful life. I feel like I'm losing myself. What once was doesn't count anymore; but it's all I know.

Bobby reassuringly tightened his arms around her. "That sounds to me like you are at a crossroad with an unknown path looming ahead of you." Nuzzling her head, he breathed in the fragrance left in her hair from the conditioner. "Tell me about this new Esme. How would she like to live? What would she like to do for a living? What longings does she have?"

Esme sighed. I dreamt of Grief and Uncle Ramiro last night. Having the image of them fresh in my mind reminds me of how they doted on me and kept me totally protected from everything. In the beginning, when Grief first brought me here, I thought their safeguarding was overbearing; but once I grew accustomed to being treated as a princess I felt a carefreeness I'd never known was possible. After their deaths I closed myself off morphing into T and rejoining the world where brutality reigned and warriors battled. Bobby, I'm not certain I could go back to such a passive way of living again; but somehow I'd like to feel that serenity, at least from time to time. You and Rubén have brought that back to me to some degree and I want more. I like the way it is now, with my family close by, everybody safe and secure. I don't want to risk dying or even worse losing more of my friends and family; but how do I accomplish the balance? How can I live in both worlds? How will I respect life one minute only to take a life in the next?

With every thought Esme's breathing developed more into quick and ragged gasps.

"Shhhhhh, Baby. It's OK." Bobby soothingly caressed her face. "Is that why you got so angry earlier when Marvey and the guys decided to continue risking Marv's safety by having him go back to the NGA?"

Esme looked up and nodded, her eyes filling with tears. I don't know what's wrong with me Bobby; but I don't think I can handle losing one more person close to me. First Sassá, then friends Linho and I made over the years, then Linho himself. Jokester, Slash, Hurt. Grief and Ramiro, they were my adoptive dad and uncle. I've never had a dad before Grief adopted me. They got killed and I fucking survived. It should have been me instead of them. Everybody I let into my heart dies. I've always thought of death as a part of my life; but suddenly the thought of losing just one more loved one is unbearable. I can't take it anymore. I want everyone protected and close to me so I can watch out for them and make sure nothing can happen to them.

And, Esme took a shuddering breath, and the thought of losing you makes my heart stop and I can't breathe anymore. It scares me so much. Now that I have you I don't know how I could ever go on without you in my life and it's terrifying me. I love the way you protect me and care for me. The way I can let my walls down when I'm with you. I want that for always and forever. I no longer want to be the distrusting fighting warrior all the time; but it's wrong for me to think I could be anything else. You fell in love with an always strong and independent woman. You don't need some clingy weak wuss at your side.

Alarmed, Bobby put his fingers over Esme's lips to get her attention. Her thoughts were spiraling out of control and he needed to stop her before she got lost in her head.

"Baby, you need to stop," he looked intently at her. "Yes, I fell in love with your strong side; but as our relationship grows, you are allowing those walls around you to crumble and I love the softness I get to know. You said it yourself – I'm a caretaker at heart. I admire your strength; but letting me protect and take care of you is the most precious gift you can give me. Believe me, I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you and if you'll let me, I'll love you with every fiber of my being. I swear I'll stop at nothing to see that you feel safe, secure, happy and supported in everything you want to do."

Esme snaked her arms around Bobby and buried her face into his neck. She heard his words and she believed them, albeit, apprehensively. What would happen when something unsettled her? Would his vows of love and affection drop out of her mind giving her insecurities room to grow? Bobby lovingly rubbed her back and placed soft kisses along her neck and shoulder.

"When you don't like the way your life is moving, then stop," he whispered in her deaf ear. "We'll find new challenges for you, together. You aren't alone in this; I'm right by your side, always," Bobby tightened his arms for a moment to emphasize the sincerity of his words. "Life is all about changes, Baby, and you have all the time in the world to get to know your new softer side and find out what you'd like to do and what not. Remember Grief's favorite quote: 'Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.' Regarding your family, perhaps we can talk with the guys. Who knows, maybe the thought of a change is appealing for them, too? I know for a fact that they love you and would lasso the moon to see you happy."

Bobby felt Esme shiver in his arms. The sun had long gone down, rendering Great Falls to a chilly night, too brisk for her short skirt and spaghetti strap top. Effortless, he worked them out of the hammock cradling Esme against his chest. This time he didn't have to ask when they stood next to their bed; she understood his need to tend to her. Gently, he stripped her down and wrapped her up in one of his T-shirts before divesting his own clothes. Lying spooned under the skylights there was one thought keeping Esme's head busy.

"What is it, Baby?" Bobby squeezed her from behind.

How do you know?

Your body is all tense and I smell smoke, he smiled and nibbled at her neck.

What about Rubén? Esme turned in his arms to face him, her green eyes full of worry.

Well, Bobby thoughtfully caressed her face, we both love him.

I miss him so much, Bobby, him and Muerte; but it will hurt them to see us together. They will feel like the fifth wheel. I don't want to hurt them, I can't do that to them.

Bobby smiled softly and gently brushed his lips over hers before kissing them. They don't have to feel like the fifth wheel. We could embrace them with our love and make them a part of us.

Esme scrunched her brow and looked at him confused. What do you mean?

Bobby's eyes scanned her face, taking in every detail – the scars, the perfectly curved brows, her thick long swung eye-lashes, her captivating green eyes, the hint of dimples waiting to deepen as soon as she smiled and lastly, her full lush lips begging to be kissed. Once more he was stunned by her beauty. This was it, the moment of truth. He had thought long and hard how to approach the subject with Esme; but there was no perfect way to tell her what he had in mind.

"Baby," he tenderly stroked her cheek and temple before losing his hand in her curls. "Without holding back, what do you feel for Rubén and Muerte?"

Esme gulped. She had thought about this a lot lately; but how do you tell the man you love that you think you also have feelings for somebody else, let alone two other men. The thought alone was overwhelming her and making her feel like a traitor. Just a few minutes back Bobby had told her again that he loved her and would never leave her so she had to take a leap of faith and simply jump without knowing the outcome.

Before Rubén fell back into this stupor, I felt attracted to both of them, Muerte even more than Rubén. The guys thought that I had fallen in love with him. Esme took a deep breath for courage. I don't know whether my feelings for him could have developed like my feelings for you; but I longed for him to touch and kiss me. Then he broke down and you and I fell in love with each other. Esme exhaled. I know these feelings for them are wrong because we are a couple now. She rambled on, You asked and that's just the way it is; but now everything is different cuz I have you.

Bobby sweetly kissed her warm, pillow soft lips. "Nothing about these feelings is wrong, Baby," he whispered against them before pulling back and cupping her face with his free hand. "For so many years, Rubén and I were a couple. He'll forever be etched in my heart. The thought of excluding him from my life physically hurts me."

What do you mean? The confusion in Esme's eyes grew by the minute.

"I mean, we are both in love with Rubèn, you even with Muerte, and in my opinion there is nothing wrong with sharing that love. In certain instances, the heart wants what the heart wants and people find themselves falling in love with more than one person."

But that's not normal, Esme's pupils had widened with concern. I'm just getting used to being the center of one man's attention. How is that supposed to work? Small pearls of perspiration were building on her forehead and Bobby could tell she was getting more and more agitated. I could never, I, I'm just learning to deal with one, Esme frantically shook her head.

"Baby," Bobby tried to get her attention. "Baby, calm down. Everything is fine. Hush, Baby, hush" he pulled her in his arms and soothingly rubbed her back. "Everything is fine. I didn't want to scare you."

"Look," he continued when he felt Esme relax in his arms. "This is nothing that would happen any time soon. At the moment, Rubén unfortunately remains in a catatonic state. We know little about what will happen once he awakens and even less in regard to his memory. So much water will go down the river before we even have to start thinking about what will happen with Rubén and us. I just thought the three of us together could perhaps be an option for the future."

Esme laid motionless in his arms and chewed on what Bobby had just told her. After the first shock had worn off, she remembered the warm fuzzy feelings she had that last day when she laid in Muerte's arms on this very bed she was now lying in with Bobby. Those were warm and tingly memories and she wondered whether she would haven them again once Rubén woke up.

How is that supposed to work with three people? Isn't there always one spare? One would always be hurting.

"Why do you think that?" Bobby gently moved her head up so he could look into her eyes. "For example, when you share a bed with Agony and Rev, did you ever feel like you were the spare?"

But I'm not part of their relationship.

"You are in a certain way. Imagine Rubén was here right now. We'd be lying in this bed in a threesome, you probably sandwiched by us, snuggling with each other and talking about our day. There would be nothing hurtful about this for anybody."

But it wouldn't be normal.

Bobby smiled sadly at her. "Nothing about us is normal, Baby. You literally grew up on the streets in the most horrible conditions imaginable. Rubén grew up in an abusive home until he was adopted. The two of you share that horrific experience of being raped and tortured within an inch of your lives. I grew up in wealth; but without any affection at all, let alone love, always reminded how worthless and what a mistake I was for my parents. Each one of us is damaged in some way; but together we could perhaps feel complete. You and Rubén can give each other a comfort, support and understanding that I would never be capable of providing. I on the other hand can offer the two of you calm, strength and routine. I can pull you out of those prisons your minds can become at times. In return, you give me something I've never felt before in my life. You make me feel worthy and loved, like my life is making a difference, like I'm needed just the way I am without having to work my ass off for it."

Bobby and Esme's eyes met and a magical current hung in the air. Their hearts were laying open exposing all their hopes and fears for the future. Suddenly they united, mutually mending the wounds and scars of the past to finally beat as one, stronger than each on its own could ever be.

Perhaps we can do some research on the topic, together? Esme's thought felt a little insecure; but full of possibilities.

The smile that spread over Bobby's face was one of the most beautiful sights Esme knew.

"You bet we can do that," he nuzzled her nose. "It's called poly-amorous relationship and I don't want you to worry or stress yourself. We will do this one step at a time. First, we have to see how Rubén is faring once he awakes. Then we'll go from there," Bobby kissed her forehead, her eyes, nose and lastly her lips.

"You know," he pulled her close against his chest. "When I saw you pounding away on the bag earlier," he hesitated not sure how to word his feelings. "There are so many similarities between you and Rubén I haven't been aware existed. Both of you have these relentless warrior personas that protect the vulnerable sides of you. What I mean is that I slowly realize that loving Muerte isn't that far from the rocker as I thought. Even if he has separated himself from Rubén, he's a facet of him just as T is a facet of you. I just have to learn to see him as Rubén's guardian as T is your guardian."

Bobby and Esme talked long into the night, cuddling and making plans for their future. Little did they know that at the same time NISE was about to draw a final line under the Rangemen's demise.

St. Francis Hospital, Trenton, New Jersey

It was two o'clock in the morning and the night nurse was silently making her round. The lights on the eighth floor were dimmed and she was the only person about besides the two men standing guard in front of one of the rooms. It was known that Rangeman sent guards whenever one of their employees was in the hospital and tonight was no exception. Due to the continued hits to his head Lester had suffered a grade III concussion and would have to stay for two days minimum. Without company medic, the hospital had been adamant about that and it wasn't like Ranger would spring him early this time.

The night nurse had just cleared his room after checking on him, when Ramon excused himself for a quick trip to the bathroom, leaving Junior alone in front of the room. The moment his colleague vanished around the corner Junior slipped into Lester's room. For a second he watched for any sign of movement in the bed; but everything stayed silent. Without making a sound he quickly walked over to Lester's bed. There was no time to lose now. Junior moved the sheet out of the way, swiftly searched for the right place between the biceps and triceps and smoothly injected the needle. For a moment he froze when Lester groaned and creased his forehead; but Les was too far gone to come fully awake. Seconds later, the GPS tracker was safely secured between the two built main muscles in Les' upper arm and Junior noiselessly slipped out of the room just moments before Ramon came back around the corner. Keeping his face blank Junior basked in self-satisfaction. Nobody would ever know that from now on Lester was a moving blip on the enemy's radar always telling them the whereabouts of the mission team.