A/N: Thanks for the great reviews!

Betrayal

Chapter 25

Rangers PoV

October 31, 2011 2000 hours

Bodie, WA

Never in my life have I seen someone move so fast. In one moment, she was kneeling in front of Hal, tending to the bruises on his arm and in the next, she was standing at the entrance of the cavern, using Hal´s gun she fired two shots into the darkness. We all leapt to our feet, drawing our guns but Steph raised her fist, silently telling us to stop. Without thought we obeyed. Authority settled around her like a cloak.

"Reveal yourself or the next bullet won´t miss." Her voice was cold as ice and hard as steel.

I didn´t think that I could still be surprised today, not after what I just learned, but obviously was proven wrong once again by the next words.

"Geez Cupcake, hasn't anybody ever taught you that `you mustn´t shoot your allies´?" Joe Morelli screamed.

I moved slowly next to her, catching her eye and raised my eyebrow in question. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Shove it Morelli. Who's with you?" she screamed back.

"All changed" said an unknown voice

"Changed utterly" said another.

"A terrible beauty is born"13 a third, strangely familiar voice finished the quote from Yeats. Yeah I know Yeats I´m not a complete philistine.

"Oh great, the three Musketeers and a rat." Steph muttered under her breath. ´What was that supposed to mean?` Louder she said,

"Come on out, and no funny business. After all, you taught me to shoot first and ask questions later. I won't hesitate to do so."

She stepped back a few paces and my men and I followed her. It was clear that she was in charge and for now, I will let her remain in charge.

She stood there her face expressionless. She looked like she was carved from marble as she continued to point Hal´s gun steadily at the entrance. But I could see the tension in her. The way her shoulders were set and the small crinkles she gets around her eyes whenever she was apprehensive. Whatever was going to come thru the entrance wasn´t anything good. I gave my men a small sign with my hand behind my back, which meant Steph was to be protected at any and all costs.

I was not surprised when Morelli, with hands raised, was the first to step forward. I had recognized his voice when he screamed at Babe.

The second man to come forward was about 6´2 tall, rather lean with short black hair and dark eyes. He looked haggard with shallow skin and must be a good deal older than me around fifty if I had to guess. He hadn´t raised hands.

The third man looked vaguely familiar but couldn´t place his face at the moment. He was about my height and weight, his skin a shade darker than Bobby´s and a good ten years older than me.

The fourth man however left me questioning my sanity. There standing in line with the other three was Col. Lewis Sanders aka Nighthawk, who had been one of my instructors at Ranger School. He was one mean bastard but without him I wouldn´t have become this good. What the HELL is he doing here? And what the hell should I do now? I can´t very well stand here pointing my gun at a man I deeply respect.

I wasn´t the only one who felt that way. Each of the men here, with the exception of Cal who was a Seal, was trained by Sanders.

Sensing my unease Steph snarled

"Don`t you dare, Ranger. You keep that gun steady or you will regret it." There was that threatening tone again.

Did I just saw see a flash of approval in Sanders eyes?

"Hal, Cal, Eric, and Silvio search them for weapons, comm., and tracking devices." She ordered. When no one moved, she thundered "NOW!"

They hastily obeyed. I can´t blame them she sounded like Sanders on a bad day.

Morelli was clearly uncomfortable being searched and disarmed by my men, but the other three didn´t bat an eye.

Morelli opened his mouth but before he could utter a sound the tall dark man spoke up.

"Mr. Morelli kindly keep your mouth shut. Stephanie thinks you have ratted her out to us and that we are here to liquidate her and her friends. She has her gun pointed at you and is currently plotting your untimely demise and if I know her at all it won´t be a pleasant death. That woman has a real sadistic streak." He sounded… proud?

I always prided myself to be an intelligent man, always aware and able to quickly adapt to any situation, but right now I´m at my wits end.

Steph crooked her head and smiled.

"I learned from the best. Guys, may I introduce to you Army Col. Lewis Sanders, Navy Capt. Allan Pike, you may have heard of him under the name Tell and The Spymaster, my mentors." She let her gun sink and threw herself at the three men.

You could have knocked me over with a feather.

Hell, my Babe was personally trained by one of the best and meanest Rangers in Ranger history. Nighthawk.

Tell, Allan Pike, is a legendary Sniper of Seal Team Six. It was rumored he had never missed his mark. The total sum of confirmed kills was never revealed but it was rumored to be around 200.

And if I have to make an educated guess I would say the Spymaster is from the CIA and he too is the best they had to offer.

No wonder Steph was able to best me with this kind of training. I wonder how many facets of Stephanie I still have to discover.

13 William Butler Yeats Easter, 1916

A/N: You know what you have to do to discover why they are here...