Betrayal

Chapter 23

Rangers PoV

October 31, 2011 1836 hours

Bodie, WA

A red haze clouded my eyes and I knew no more.

Stephs PoV

October 31, 2011 1837hours

Bodie,WA

I hit the deck and a second later I heard a crash. Unfortunately I was standing next to Ranger when I let the bomb drop and when he sprang up he blocked the only exit.

I ducked my head and crawled backwards until I brushed by a pair of black clad legs. I glanced up.

Bobby was quaking in his boot, literally. Great from the frying pan…

Lester, Hal, Cal and Manny were so wound tight; it was just a matter of seconds until they too snap.

…into the fire.

I crawled on until I connected with the back wall.

My fighting skills are in no way inferior to theirs, but in that kind of mood they are right now, I am no match unarmed. There was just one thing to do; cover my ass and wait until the storm is over.

It seems like I am not the only one who came to this conclusion. Adam, Jordan, Eric, Silvio and Ram came crawling to my little corner, huddling around me. In my peripheral vision I saw Ranger lifting the generator over his head and a second later I was cover by a large body and my head was cradled in strong hands. I heard a dull thud.

"You alright, Bomber?" Ram whispered in my ear.

I gaped, I couldn´t help it. Just moments prior he was still sending me dark looks that made grown men piss their pants and now he is protecting me with his life.

"You´re not mad anymore?" I always like Ram a lot. Right after the Core-Team (with the notable exception of Tank) he was my favorite Merry Men. I have often wished that I hadn´t had to pretend that I hate guns; or Ram and I could have had a hell lot of fun shooting the shit out of paper man.

Instead of an answer he kissed me smack dab on the lips and said.

"Just so you know I will be calling you to the mats when we get back home."

"And just so you know" I replied, "I will even let you get a punch in, before I will wipe the floor with you."

"Deal" And just like that he was my friend again. Men.

"Guys, shouldn´t we stop them?" whispered Silvio from my left. I took a look around and I must say it was impressive. The generator looked a bit rough around the edges, but luckily the fuel tank survived. Ranger must still be lucid enough to realize that´s a bad idea to completely destroy it with a propane gas burner running. The chair and the table though were beyond saving, the same goes for the coolers, the almost full wine bottle was broken, the red fluid seeping into the earth and now they were fighting each other with a vengeance.

"Nah, let them get it out of their system." I said. "Else they might never be able to trust each other again." I felt and saw them nodding in understanding.

I know it sounds strange; but the four of them Ranger, Bobby, Lester and Tank were closer than brothers. They walked through the hell holes of the world relying on each other to keep you save, to keep you sane, to keep you alive even on the brink of death. I know what they went through on their Black Ops missions, there was not one single thing they wouldn´t and hadn´t done for each other and Tanks betrayal had torn wounds I fear are too deep to ever heal completely. Fighting without killing each other; although each and every one of them has the ability to do so, is their method to bond again. And who am I to deny them. I won´t say all will be good but it´s a start.

The same goes for Hal, Cal and Manny. The Trenton RangeMan always was an especially close knit group. That makes me wonder about Ram, who had thankfully moved off of me and now crouches to my right.

"Ram why aren´t you with them?"

"Well" he drawled "what do you think? Choosing between fighting with a bunch of guys or cuddling up with a beautiful woman. Tough decision."

The nerve of that man. Here I was unhinging his world and he is joking around with me.

"Ram!"

"Sorry, Bomber. But honestly I have no idea what to think at the moment. It´s all a bit much. I always loved you like a little sister and I was really hurt. I still am. And I was dead set on to never forgive you no matter your reasons. But now with Tank wanting Jules dead…and I really fear what else is coming, I am…I´ve no idea what to think. Other than I might have been a bit hasty with my judgment. So I will give you the benefit of doubt and protect you until I know the whole truth and had time to process it."

Wow.

"I second that" Said Silvio and Eric, Jordan and Adam agreed.

"And I always preferred to shoot the shit out of paper man than to hand to hand combat." Ram shrugged.

"By the way I was serious about calling you to the mats." I could only nod I was still rendered speechless.

While I was mulling over what Ram said, Ranger was double teamed by Les and Bobby and he just landed a vicious kick on Bobby´s shoulder while blocking a punch from Lester. And Hal, Cal and Manny doing their damnest tearing each other apart.

I turned to Ram and looking him in the eyes I said in dead earnest,

"Should I come out of this mess alive, I will gladly accept every call to the mats."

Matter closed. I turned back to the men in front of me, watching them bond again in that strange way of theirs. Ranger had one hand around Lester´s and one around Bobby´s throat. The other three were at a similar impasse.

And as suddenly as the storm started it was over.

I got up and went around them, looking for a few bottles of water which survived the storm.

I found a few in a corner, gathered them and passed them to the guys. Without a word I went to one of my bags and retrieved two towels and a first aid kid.

"You have to share. I only have those two." I told them. Passing over the towels I continued.

"Ram, Eric, Silvio, Adam, Jordan can you tidy up a bit?"

Only now Ranger and the others seem to come aware of their surroundings and saw their handiwork. I heard the sharp intake of breath and suddenly they spoke all at once.

"Babe…"

"Bomber…"

"Steph…"

"Angel…"

"Beautiful…"

"Shit. Babe, I´m so sorry."

I held up my hand and they immediately fell silent.

"Shh, it´s ok I understand. Sit down and let me patch you up. And while I am doing that I will finish my tale. And no more interruptions, please. It was already a long day and I want it to be over."

And we did just that. The guys sat down on the remnants of the air-mattress and the blanket and I went to work. Adam and Jordan offered their help but I waved them away. It was a task I wanted to do myself. I may not be able to heal their emotional wounds but I can at least heal their bodies. So I went on ripping new emotional wounds while I dabbed lacerations and bandage bruised knuckles.

A/N: Ram ran all over me and demanded to have is say and because I rather like him…

Tomorrow you will read the last part of the Spy´s Tale. I´m such a sucker for your reviews keep them coming in masses….