Rangers Blank mask slipped when he looked up to see me sitting across from him with a gun in hand. Shock registered in his eyes.
"Babe, why don't you put that down before someone gets hurt.
"Why do you keep doing this, Manoso," I yelled!
"Put the gun down. You are not going to shoot me, Babe."
"Stop calling me that," I hissed! "Do you know how jet lagged I am? Do you have any clue how many late nights followed by early mornings I have been through over the past week?"
The shock left Ranger's eyes as the corners of his mouth twitched.
He was laughing at me and I knew exactly why. Despite the fierce glare I was wearing, my voice presented it's self a high pitched sleepy whimper.
"Funny, huh, Manos. How funny will it be when I shoot you?"
"Easy, how about you put the gun down and we can talk."
I continued to glare at him as I thought. Silently I was contemplating wich option would be more productive. If I shot Ranger it might put a stop to his old habit of residential breaking and entering. He did say he wanted to talk. Ranger wanted to talk?
"I think I smell something burning, Babe. I just want to talk," Ranger assured me.
"I just wanted to sleep, but here you are," I growled with the gun still aimed at Ranger.
"Still cranky in the morning, huh Babe," Ranger smirked.
This man had broken into my apartment. Once again I appeared to be entertaining Carlos Manos and I did not like it one bit. Maybe it was unresolved feelings between me and Ranger. It could have been the irritation of this man making a habit of breaking into my home. Extreme sleep deprivation combined with jetlag and smug overbearing Ranger might also have been to blame. For whatever reason, I aimed wide and pulled the trigger firing a round into the shoulder of Carols Manos.
'You shot me, Babe," Ranger said incredulously.
"Flesh wound, you might not even need stitches," I yawned sleepily.
"I can't believe you shot me. Flesh wound or not this hurts," Ranger complained.
"Then I guess we are even. Be glad that it's only a flesh wound and not a broken heart Ranger. Given the choice ,I'd take the bullet. But that's right, you always did like taking away my choices, Manoso, " I said as put the gun away.
"What, wait? Anger and bitterness are not a good look on you, Babe. You know I never meant hurt you, Babe," Ranger told me quietly.
Ranger now had blood pooling down his arm onto my chair and imported expensive custom wood floors. I went to the linen closet and retrieves a towel, then applied it to Ranger's wound.
"Bitter, ha! Don't you dare come in here and tell me ... You know what Manoso , I'm too tired for this. You said you wanted to talk so talk!"I said as I flopped back onto the bed and hung my head.
"I'm sorry Babe, I was wrong to just... Like I told you before, old habits are hard to break. Blaze told me you went MIA and I was worried about you," Ranger admitted.
"Funny you have not been worried about me in years. You didn't seem worried hopped that plane to Miami and never looked back, Ranger" I laughed.
"That's not fair, Babe. You know I have always been worried your safety."
"Stop calling me that," I screamed!
Ranger raised his hands in surrender, "Alright Steph, alright. I was just checking on you.
I could tell he wanted more than to just check on me. The man wanted information.
"Tell me what you want to know, Ranger. Because I know you are not going to leave until I tell you. "Make it quick so I can catch up on my rest," I yawned.
Ranger's eyes were locked on the gash in my arm from being pushed in the pool." Did that happen while you were on location? Looks like a lot of stitches. Your man, does he have you back? I hope Blaze would not put you in harm's way," Ranger whispered.
"He would never do that."
Ranger pinched the bridge of his nose. "You know, I would sleep better if you told me about this case your working on," Ranger sighed.
"Since when does Carlos Manoso need sleep," I smirked?
"Smart Alec," Ranger said as the corners of his mouth twitched. "I'm serious, Steph. What is it that you are working on and why don't your have back up?"
"All I can tell you is that it's a missing persons case. I don't need backup right now, but if it becomes an issue Blaze will take care of it. No one is shooting at me, I'm not rolling in the garbage and nothing has exploded."
"You are cute when you roll in garbage. What about stalkers" Ranger asked seriously?
"Well, that could be a problem. There is this guy that has been bothering me. He has followed me in my car. The man has also been to my job and my home. But I think I can get him to stop on my own."
"Really Babe, how do plan on doing that?"
"I'm just going to ask him nicely."
"Not a good plan, Babe."
"Sure it is," I said taking Ranger's arm and walking him to the door. "Ranger, can you please stop following me. I would really love it if you would not do this again."
Ranger shook his head and smiled. "Cute Babe, cute. Alright, I get it."
"Thank you," I smiled .
"That looks good on you. Way better that bitterness and anger you flashed before. I hate that I did that to you, Babe. You were never bitter before you met me, Steph." Ranger stood in the door frame staring me. "I can't believe you shot me, "he muttered before walking to his car.