Author's Note: Yeah... it's been a while, I know. I have written and rewritten this chapter about a dozen times. I couldn't decide. I think I got it this time. There is one more chapter, the epilogue and then this story is finished.

Enjoy!

Chapter Fourteen
I Promise

Steph was feeling giddy. She was floating on a high she never knew existed. And the greatest part of her giddy feeling was that the day wasn't even close to being over yet. Although she didn't comment on Ranger's bat cave comment, the feeling in her heart was something she had never felt before. It was like a weight had been lifted off her chest.

After she called Tank and profusely thanked him for looking after her sweet mastiff, Tank, Ranger and her headed towards their first destination, the St. Louis Zoo. She got to take tons of pictures of some very beautiful animals. She loved watching Ranger at the Discover Center. She got a picture of him crinkling his nose at the feel of a sting ray and another picture of him holding a little bunny, his eyes were soft and he was smiling. She even got a picture of Ranger surrounded by a mirage of butterflies. She giggled as they landed on his head and shoulders. He was so relaxed it was like the butterflies just flocked to him.

He held her hand as they watched elephants play in the water and cheetahs wrestle with each other. He slipped an arm around her waist as a giant silver-back gorilla female nursed her young and a bear cub tormented his mother. And he teased her until she blushed when they caught a pair of zebras having a 'good time'. They stopped after the butterfly exhibit and shared a root beer float. She couldn't help but be a little shocked when Ranger drank most of it. He bought her another before they left the zoo. She was just glad she got a picture of Ranger sucking back a root beer float. Black mail for later. Ranger didn't seem to mind at all.

Once they left the Zoo, Ranger told her he wanted to go visit the St. Louis Arch. So together they traveled to the top of the majestic Arch and she captured of the most gorgeous shots of the St. Louis skyline. What a beautiful and gorgeous city it truly was. She loved Trenton, but St. Louis was just as wonderful as Trenton. This was her second home and she was going to be sad when she finally said good bye.

Before they left the Arch, they stopped at the gift store where Ranger bought her a key chain and t-shirt. He bought himself the same thing. She was giddy at the thought of them wearing matching shirts. She was now sure she was losing her mind, but for now she just embraced it.

Then they stopped for lunch at a very popular restaurant in St. Louis called 360 Rooftop. Steph tried to talk Ranger out of it once she saw the inside of this extremely posh restaurant. However, Ranger wasn't hearing it. He led her inside, his head held high and his arm wrapped around Steph's waist. He ordered a bottle of wine, one of the most expensive ones she had ever drank and it was delicious. She just about had a heart attack when Ranger ordered breaded lobster tail with fresh herb and grilled asparagus risotto. Ranger always ordered a salad so this was a definite shock to her system. And once their food came, she took a picture of Ranger eating that lobster and the best part was, Ranger was smiling when she did so.

She ordered the chicken Marsala with roasted butternut squash puree with a walnut crust, wild mushrooms in a Marsala cream sauce. And yes it was the most sinful thing she had ever tasted. That was until dessert when Ranger –Yes! Ranger!– and her shared a chocolate brownie parfait. It was totally safe now. She could die happy. That was pure sex on a spoon. In fact, she was starting to get ideas what she could do with Ranger in a bed with this exact dessert. That train of thought was hell on her libido. It wasn't helping either when Ranger's eyes went dark with arousal. He quickly called for the check and they quickly made their way back to the hotel where they fell into bed.

Her giddy feeling had yet to leave. It was in fact, becoming more and more prominent.

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"That was beautiful, Ranger. Thank you for bringing me here." Steph kissed Ranger's cheek in gratitude.

Ranger gripped her hips and tugged her closer to him. "I thought you might enjoy it."

Steph's eyes went wide. "Are you kidding me? The Nature Connects Exhibit was absolutely amazing. All those works of art done in Legos, who knew such beautiful things could be created."

Ranger chuckled softly as he pulled her away from the entrance of the Missouri Botanical Garden and towards his Porsche Cayenne. He had heard about the Garden from one of the guys and he had though Steph would enjoy it. He had been correct. She absolutely loved it. For the past several hours, he just stood back and watched her face light up after discovering one thing and then another.

"Was that your favorite exhibit?" He asked once they reached the Cayenne. He expertly put Steph in between his body and the vehicle before bringing their bodies close together. Steph inhaled sharply and her eyes glazed over.

Ranger grinned as Steph shook her head and refocused her eyes back on Ranger. She pursed her lips in thought. "I loved the Lego exhibit but it's totally tied with the wine tasting and all those beautiful gardens."

He leaned down and brushed her mouth with his. "Where to now, Babe?" Ranger asked.

Steph couldn't help but frown at the question. Because her answer probably wasn't one that Ranger wanted to hear. But damn it, she needed some answers and she wasn't going to live in denial land any longer. Ranger immediately picked up on Steph's mood change. He tipped her chin up.

"What's going through that head of yours, Babe?"

She licked her lips. "Can we go and get something to eat?"

Ranger managed to keep his blank face. "You're hungry? Again?" He questioned in wonder. She had eaten quite a lot that day. He couldn't believe she was still hungry.

Steph shrugged. She wasn't really hungry but she was hoping that once in a public place, she could work up the nerve to question him. Ranger simply nodded and they got in the car. The ride to a nearby diner was ridden in silence. It wasn't too much of an uncomfortable silence, but Ranger knew something was up and Steph knew that Ranger knew something was going on.

The diner was small and quiet. The only way to describe it was retro. From the color, to the style, along with the food and the people; all retro. Steph liked it immediately on the spot. She couldn't help but not when the first person they saw–a woman– gave Steph a huge smile and told them to pick a seat, that she would be right with them. She was an elderly lady but she moved faster than Steph did. She was seriously thinking of asking their waitress –Darlene– how she managed to have so much energy. And she didn't treat Ranger different than her. They both were treated with smiles and great service.

Steph ordered the cheeseburger, loaded, onion rings, and a chocolate milkshake. Ranger, shaking his head and grinning, ordered a grilled chicken Caesar salad with the dressing on the side and water. Sheesh, he was boring. Steph told him as much.

"Body's a temple, Babe. Gotta treat it as such."

Steph ran her tongue along her bottom lip. She couldn't help it. She tried. "I'm pretty sure that mission has been accomplished, Ranger. You could live just a little."

In return, he licked his own bottom lip. "I'll ... live a little … tonight." And then he winked. Steph couldn't help but fan herself as her temperature went up, her nipples went to tingling and her doodah started throbbing. Ranger chuckled. Of course he chuckled. Steph stuck her tongue out and Ranger's eyes darkened.

"You want to eat, right?" He questioned, his voice hard and forced. Steph nodded, her eyes wide. "You want to talk, right?" He asked with the same voice and once again Steph nodded. "Then keep that tongue where I can't see it or I'll have you outta here and in my car before you know it's happening, Stephanie. And we will not make it to the hotel. Am I clear?"

He wasn't being cruel. He was being honest so Steph kept quiet and nodded. Their conversation flowed easily from there. They talked about Steph's classes and Ranger's business. Soon their food arrived and they both dug in. Their conversation as they were too busy stuffing their faces with food. When Ranger had finished his salad, he wanted patiently for Steph to finish. She finished, but she hadn't managed to eat it all. It was a lot of food and she had already eaten quite a bit that day, but it was so good and Steph hated to waste it.

"Take it with you, Babe. Eat it later."

Steph nodded and sat down her fork. "Ranger, I hate talking about … feelings and such, but I need to know something."

"What, Babe? You can tell me or ask me anything." He was sincere. Steph was thankful for that.

Steph took a deep breath and before she could stop it, her words came rushing out in one giant sentence. "You've always told me someday, but then you say stuff like your love comes with a condom and not a ring and then you turn around and tell me the bat cave is forever but you say can't promise forever and you don't do relationships, but you act like we're in relationship. Ranger, I'm so confused it's not even funny. Help me, please. Help me understand."

Ranger let out a sigh. "Babe, I've said a lot of stupid things in my life, but the things I have said to you have been on a whole new level of stupid. I don't care for marriage but if that's something you want, then… I'll go through it for you. But I can promise that whether or not we're married, you will never want for anything. However, I can't promise forever because I don't know what the future holds for myself. Whether I'm on the streets of Trenton or on a field in some third world country, the future for me is blurry at best. What we have is a relationship, one that I want to be exclusive. Just you and me and only you and me."

"I want that too…"

"But?"

She shook her head. "You can't promise forever…" He shook his head in regret. "Then what can you promise?" She asked.

"I can't promise you that dark clouds will never hover over our lives or that our future will hold many rainbows. I can't promise you that tomorrow will be perfect or that life with me will be easy. I can promise you my everlasting devotion, my loyalty, my respect, my business and everything that it brings with it, and my unconditional love for however long I'm breathing. I can promise that I will always be here for you, to listen and hold your hand, and I'll always do my best to make you happy, and make you feel loved. I can promise that I'll see you through any crisis, and pray for you, dream with you, build with you, and always cheer you on and encourage and support you. I can promise that I'll willingly be your protector, your advisor, your counselor, your friend, your family, your everything. I promise that no matter what happens, you are it for me. I promise."

Steph smiled, leaned forward over the booth and brushed a kiss across Ranger's mouth. "I promise too."

Ranger fisted a hand in Steph's hair, holding her close. "I love you, Babe." He whispered against her mouth.

"I love you too, Ranger."

"Call me Carlos, Babe. For now on, call me Carlos."

Steph's eyes widened. "Really? Even in front of others."

"Definitely in front of others, as long as you're comfortable with it, Babe, but I want everyone to know that you're it for me."

He kissed her hard on the mouth before releasing her.

"What now, Carlos?"

Ranger grinned and his eyes darkened. He definitely liked it when she called him that. "I have to leave Friday, a client is having a fit about my dying and he wants to make sure I'm actually alive so I have to go back on Friday. But I want you to finish your schooling, take some time for yourself, and then return to Trenton when you're ready. If at any time, you need me –whether emotionally or physically– call me and I'll be back here as soon as I can. And when you return to Trenton, bring Harley with you."

Steph's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

Ranger chuckled. "He's trustworthy around you. He's respectful and hard-working. He would be a great asset to RangeMan."

"But he doesn't have a military background?"

Ranger gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. "He's a big man and he'll the shit out of people. That's always good for business." He replied, giving her a wink.

Steph laughed. "You like him?"

Ranger gave a nod. "I do as long as he keeps the fuck away from you."

Steph rolled her eyes. "You're it for me, Carlos."

He gave her one of his two hundred watt smiles. "And you're it for me, Babe."

"Promise?" She grinned.

His smile widened. "I promise."