Chapter 23 - Catching Up
/Ranger's Point of View/
Tank fetched another round of beers and we all settled back down. Lester had laid his gun on the table when we initially sat down, and I went on high alert as he reached for it.
He looked at me and smirked. "Stand down, soldier. Dinner's here." He picked up his gun, securing it in the back of the swim trunks he'd switched into and went to get dinner."
Bobby and Tank followed him presumably to provide backup and grab whatever else they needed or wanted but more likely to give Stephanie and I a moment alone.
"I missed you, Babe."
"Ditto, Batman." I smiled. Man, I loved that she could make me smile.
I scooted closer to her on the outdoor couch. I put my arm around her shoulder, pulled her to me and gave her a soft kiss. I felt her sigh and knew my heart had sighed too. No words were needed, we just reveled in the moment.
The guys weren't silent in joining us again. I knew they wanted to make sure they didn't catch us in a compromising position, but I had no intention of pulling back. The guys came around the corner with what looked like food for an army, plates, utensils, napkins, and the like. Seemed a bit overkill, but I think they may have been looking for excuses for having taken so long.
I pulled my arm back from over her shoulder but placed my hand on her thigh wanting her to stay up against me. Everyone began opening boxes and redistributing. I had a chicken stir fry with extra vegetables. Stephanie had egg rolls, fried rice, and fried pot stickers. It took everything in me not to snicker at the difference.
We ate a leisurely dinner, but as dark began to fall it turned cooler. Stephanie was plastered against me. I'm hoping her position had to do with having missed me but it could have been the chill.
"Last one to the hot tub is a rotten egg," Lester called.
None of the rest of us had donned swim attire and gave him skeptical looks.
"You just don't want to pick up dinner, you dork," Stephanie retorted. Lester laughed as he climbed into the hot tub.
The rest of us quickly picked up the dinner remains and headed inside to change. Tank and Bobby hit the stairs. I picked up my bag and gave Stephanie a questioning look.
She tilted her head to the primary bedroom and I followed.
Once we were safely inside her room, I began, "it's okay if…" I paused and restarted. "I can take the guest room if it would make you more comfortable."
/Stephanie's Point of View/
I put my hand on his cheek and looked him directly in the eyes. "We need to talk about specifics, but I want you here with me." I knew he considered me his woman and I'd been mulling that over for months now. I knew it meant more than he'd ever expressed. I knew I needed his arms around me tonight. I needed to know he was back and truly here.
I pointed him to the empty closet off the bedroom. He took his bag with him and left the door ajar. As much as my eyes wanted to stay there, I needed to take this slow. I was worried about my heart.
I grabbed my swimsuit that was hanging in the bathroom and retreated to my closet pulling the door shut.
I specifically chose a one piece, less revealing suit since all the guys were here and there was no risk of a tan line in the dark, but Ranger's eye still grew wide as I entered the bedroom where he was waiting for me.
He ran his eyes up and down my body twice before apologizing, "I'm sorry, Babe. That may have been rude, but damn. You really have been training. You were always gorgeous, but you are smokin hot."
I blushed, unsure what to say but mimicked his typical response. "Glad you like it."
He pulled me to him and once again gave me a gentle kiss. The kiss began to heat up, but he pulled back and placed his forehead against mine wordlessly.
I grabbed his hand and led him back to the hot tub. The guys were all In the hot tub with another round of beer. I helped Stephanie into the hot tub and handed her a fresh beer before climbing in and settling down next to her.
/Ranger's Point of View/
Talk swirled of local haunts, Stephanie's friends, Lester's hottie, etc. It was clear Stephanie was a friend to my core team; a smile leaked out. Lester smirked, and I shrugged.
After another round of beer for Stephanie and Lester, he point blank asked the question I'd been wondering about. "Beautiful, how come you really turned down the second in command here? To say we were somewhat disappointed is probably an understatement."
Stephanie didn't skip a beat, "I told you, I can do my job better if I'm not one of those issuing orders to the team. They don't gossip around Zulu or Gilpin, but they have no issue shooting the shit with me. Secondly, I wasn't sure I could remain under the radar."
Tank picked it up from there. "I don't buy it. Yes, that could be a factor, but that couldn't be all of it. They trust you. I'm not sure how important staying under the radar is anymore. You've got the skills to keep anyone at bay and a restraining order against Morelli."
This time, Stephanie sighed and took her time. Honestly, I'm not sure she'd have answered if she wasn't already four beers in. "You're probably right about not needing to hide. However, I wasn't sure how long I'd want to stay here." She hesitated once again before continuing, "and you needed someone as a second that could walk into any situation and be able to protect Zulu's back."
"Babe? What do you mean by that?" I responded.
"Bombshell, you are a physical match for Gilpin. I've seen you take him on the mats. You shoot better, too. Your argument doesn't hold water," Bobby added.
She took a breath and squared her shoulders, but looked down. "It doesn't make sense when you consider the mission of Rangeman." At our confusion she continued, "Tank, what do you tell this office is their number one priority? No, not the first day, but in those meetings I'm always conveniently missing?" Tank knew to stay silent, but Stephanie answered for him. "You tell them that Ranger's woman is the first priority of this branch, and that I am that woman." None of us touched that one. There was nothing to say because it was true. My hand had been resting next to hers, I took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze or reassurance.
At our silence, she elaborated, "my partner is always in a compromising position. Basically, my partner can't take their eyes off me which can leave their back unguarded. While I will protect my partner, they are at risk. I couldn't put the head of the office in that position. Zulu needs to be focused."
"Stephanie," Lester began before being interrupted by Stephanie.
"He would be at risk."
Tank interjected this time with his no nonsense voice. "You are wrong. You are trained. A good soldier would have his back to his asset protecting that asset and looking towards the threat. He naturally would have his back to you. If you put your back to him, you are protecting him as well."
To her credit, Stephanie let that idea sink in.
"Babe, he's right. I haven't seen you in action yet. But if what I'm hearing is true, you wouldn't be a liability."
"But I'd be a distraction," she countered.
"No, he'd know where the asset is at all times. It actually would be to his advantage," I continued. I leaned over and kissed her temple while wordlessly indicating to my men that the discussion was over.
Lester leaned back and started waxing poetically about the stars and our insignificance to the universe.
We sat there a long time watching the stars before Stephanie excused herself saying she was going to shower and get ready for bed. I remained in the hot tub giving her plenty of time to finish her shower. I wanted more than anything to follow her and shower with her, but I didn't want to crowd her.
When I saw the light in the primary bathroom go out, I headed in myself. I found her in pajamas curled up to an old sitcom in bed.
I gave her a quick kiss on the lips before grabbing my bag and heading into the shower. I was surprised to find my Bvlgari shower gel in her shower, but it was the little touches…the chair in the corner, the shower gel, the second robe in the bathroom… that told me I was right bunking in this room with her.
As I finished rinsing, I turned to see Stephanie standing in the doorway ogling me. I gave her a two-hundred watt grin and asked, "see something you like?"
She responded with a breathy "yeah."
"Go on a date with me tomorrow night, babe?" I asked. At least I hoped it sounded like an ask instead of a demand.
She smiled, nodded, and turned back to the bedroom with a "I'm glad you're back safe."
I finished my shower, brushed my teeth, and set my toothbrush beside hers. I headed back to the bedroom. She'd straightened the bed and was curled up on the side closest to the bathroom, so I headed around to the empty spot. I crawled in and hugged her to my side. I closed my eyes listening to her breathe and giggle at the sitcom before drifting off to sleep.
