Always There

Disclaimer: I own none of these characters, but am grateful to JE for inventing them for us to play with. Unlike JE, I am not making any money from them either

A/N: It may be dull to read, but I will never tire of saying 'thank you' for your wonderful reviews and PMs – they really do mean a lot to me. The number of alerts and favourites too is astonishing, but the best part is getting to know some of you much better – love that. As this story is going on, I'm losing the ever challenging battle to write with brevity, so forgive me for that please, especially as I wrote the first chapter as a one shot for exactly that challenge lol! Anyway, this one is the first part of our adventure away from Trenton. Hope you enjoy it. Let me know ;)

Chapter 6

Risk

Steph and Edna stood in awe, looking around the beautiful suite before them. They had landed on the roof of the hotel and had been ushered into a private elevator for the short ride to where they were now. It was clearly the Penthouse Suite.

They were currently standing in the marbled hallway looking in to the huge sitting room, complete with baby grand piano in the corner.

"Ok, Edna, I'll show you your room, then we need to sit down and talk through our time here." started Bobby. "We can't unpack yet as Ram and Manny are still on the way with the bags, so we'll use the time to make plans. We're going to have a great time, but there has to be rules to keep you well ok?"

Edna nodded, still not quite being able to say anything.

"Good," he said emphatically, holding out his arm. "Now, let's show you your room."

With that, he led her off to the left of the sitting room.

"Want to see our room Babe?" Ranger's voice made Stephanie startle slightly. She looked up at him, still not quite believing he had pulled off this amazing trip. Nodding her head 'yes' was all she could manage right now.

The room was incredible. A huge bed, sheets Ella would have approved of, walk in closet, marble bathroom with a double shower (which she was sure was bigger than her whole apartment), his and her vanities, hairdryer, expensive products, everything she could think of.

"Ranger, this whole thing is just perfect, I can't begin to imagine what it must have cost you. I can only say thank…"

Ranger's mouth prevented her from finishing her sentence. One hand threaded through her hair as the other slipped around her back holding her firmly but gently to him. His lips were soft and warm and coupled with the scent of Bulagri and 'pure man' that was uniquely Ranger, Steph was lost in a beautiful sensory overload. She was still in a haze as he broke the kiss.

"No price Babe, you know that," he said quietly. As Steph gazed up at him she noticed a seriousness in his eyes in a way that she'd never seen before. "I've said some stupid things in the past Babe, I won't deny that, but I mean this. No price. Ever. As much as I admire your grandmother, this is for you Steph. Anything I have is yours."

Steph's eyes filled with tears at the sincerity of his words. It was one of those moments that was so intense that it was almost painful to be a part of. She'd read in romantic novels where time stood still, where there was nothing in the world except the two players in the scene, but she'd never experienced it. Until now. Her throat hurt from trying to quell her tears and yet there was a warmth flooding through her chest that took her breath. Not in a sexual way either. This was something else, something new. Before she could identify what this feeling was Ranger begun to kiss her, gentle butterfly kisses all over her face.

"Ugh-hmm," came a sound from the doorway.

Steph shot a murderous look towards the noise only to see a grinning Lester looking back at her.

"Sorry to interrupt," he said all too cheerfully, "but Bobby's waiting for you guys in the sitting area."

Ranger smiled at Steph's glare.

"Come on Babe," he said soothingly as he kissed her nose, "let's go make plans."

Steph met Bobby and Lester in the sitting room.

"Where's grandma?" asked Steph.

"She's having a nap," replied Bobby carefully. He immediately noticed the look of concern on Steph's face. "Don't worry Bomber, it's to be expected. She's doing well – really well – but we have to remember that the treatment and drugs are taking their toll. That's why I wanted us to meet now. We have some things planned but this is your getaway Steph, yours and Mrs Mazur's, so we wanted to sit down and plan everything with you," he chuckled as he continued. "I spoke to Edna who said that she didn't need to know and wanted the whole thing to be a surprise, so, what do you think Steph?"

He was relieved when Steph smiled too.

"Well, I guess the first thing is to think about her health and what she can cope with," she started hesitantly, "I'm not used to her being anything but full of energy."

"Bobby's thought about that Babe. Would you mind if he showed you what he was thinking?" replied Ranger, squeezing her hand in support.

Steph nodded and Bobby spread a large sheet of paper out on the coffee table.

"We're here for three nights before we move on.."

"Move on?" interrupted Steph.

Bobby looked at Ranger quizzically, who took over the explanation.

"They guys have some surprises up their sleeve Steph. It's up to you if you want to know or just go with the flow. It's your choice Babe."

Steph looked at all three of the men in front of her. It was an easy decision.

"If you and the guys have gone to this much trouble to surprise grandma, then I'm not going to get in the way and spoil that – I trust you."

"Thanks Beautiful," said Lester, a huge smile on his face, "but you know this is for you and your abuela right?" he added, suddenly more serious. He lowered his voice as he continued. "We've seen how much this has taken out of you Steph and so we wanted to, you know, show you we were thinking of you. You're part of our family Beautiful and so we needed to step up."

Steph mentally kicked herself for tearing up again. God, this seemed to be her reaction to everything lately.

"Yeah, Les is right Bomber," added Bobby, with a wink, "and all on Ranger's dime too!"

His joke broke the tension and brought them back to the paper in front of them. Bobby explained what they were looking at.

"Ok, so I've divided each day up into sections. Five to six time slots a day. Each of the slots is organised so that it's long enough so that Edna and you can do something in them, but Edna is not to do more than two slots back to back. That way, she'll get the rest she needs and be somewhere private to take the meds."

Steph nodded and then turned to Lester who was clearly going to continue.

"We did some research.." he started.

"Talked to Ella he means," interrupted Bobby taking a smack upside the head from Lester for his trouble.

"We did some research," Lester started again, "and have come up with an itinerary for each day. Now I know you want it all to remain a surprise, I won't show you it, but today continues with a shopping trip once Edna is awake and we've had lunch."

"Well, I'm here handsome and hungry as a horse, so let's get going!"

Everyone turned to Edna's voice happy to see her sounding so strong and looking so refreshed.

Bobby picked up the 'phone and ten minutes later lunch arrived. Bobby had ordered chicken, rice and salads with chocolate mousse and fruit for dessert. He figured that the light food would be best for Edna but the potato salad, coleslaw and chocolate mousse would keep Bomber happy. He was right.

ooOoo

Steph couldn't remember when she had so much fun. The shops at the hotel were all high end and they had a great time trying on stuff they couldn't possibly afford before heading to the places that were more in their price range. The added surprise of Manny and Ram showing up in full RangeMan uniforms and acting as body guards, escorting them everywhere, plus of course the ever attentive Ranger, made them feel like celebrities; certainly people were looking at them like they should know them. After all who needs to walk about with body guards? Edna especially enjoyed the attention, holding on to one or other of the guys' arms and winking at the open mouthed females watching, as she was helped along. Steph was impressed that the guys didn't even flinch when Edna approached them and even more so that her grandma was on her best behaviour.

They'd got back to their suite and it was clear Edna needed to rest. Actually it had been a long day, so Steph took a nap too. She was woken up by a hand caressing her up and down her sides – and the most wonderful smell. Dinner. Her stomach growled loudly. Ranger sighed.

"Nothing's going to stop The Beast is it Babe?" His breath tickled the shell of her ear as he spoke.

"Well, if it was distracted enough, it's possible I suppose….."

Ranger placed a series of soft kisses under her ear and slowly trailed them down her neck until he was at the juncture of her neck and collar bone – when The Beast roared again and a loud shout of 'Stephie' was heard from Edna. Steph huffed in frustration and felt him smile against her skin.

"Time to go Babe."

ooOoo

Edna was on fire. Really on fire. The Pit Boss had changed dealers on her twice at the Black Jack table before she had moved on to the roulette. Edna Mazur was officially on a 'hot' streak.

"Damn Beautiful's granny's cleaning up!" declared Les.

Ranger had noticed too and a glance at Manny and Ram had them move in closer to Edna. Better safe than sorry.

"And the lady wins again!" came the voice of the croupier on the roulette table.

A round of applause and Stephanie squealing in excited disbelief followed quickly.

"Do you think we should stop her? You know, before she blows it all?" asked Les casually.

Ranger looked at him and smiled.

"What do you think?"

Les smiled back.

"Nah, she's having fun – but you do realise how much she's up right?"

"About ten grand?"

Lester nodded.

"At least! Man, she's fearless. Betting big and hitting a lucky streak - can't fail."

Twenty minutes later, Edna cashed in her chips, much to everyone's disappointment.

"That was the pip!" she exclaimed, excitement in her voice even though she was leaning on Ram quite heavily. She was clearly tired, but having a great time.

"What that was Mrs M, was impressive," laughed Ram as he gently led her to the elevator.

"Yo, how you get so lucky? Come on, Mrs M, give up your secret." added Manny with a smile.

"Well, you got to go for the straight up inside fives. You only need to win one to get thirty five to one. If you're on a hot street, stack 'em and go again. And I was hot!"

Ram and Manny looked at her in complete shock then collapsed laughing.

"That's a high risk strategy grandma," laughed Steph.

Edna looked pointedly at Steph, then at Ranger.

"Yep, but some things are worth the risk."