Chapter 26 - Moving Forward

/Bobby's Point of View/

Ranger and Stephanie seem to have fallen into an unassuming relationship. He gets up early and hits the home gym before she rises. When she gets up and gets ready, they eat breakfast together before heading to the office.

At the office, Ranger typically joins the core team and we work on nationwide business while Bomber focuses on local duties. We have spoken about her playing a national role and supporting team building across our offices, but we aren't sure if she'd accept the position.

"Morning," I acknowledge Lester and Tank as we wait and watch Ranger kiss Stephanie before heading to our meeting.

I got nods from the others.

As soon as Ranger arrives, he's all business. "Are physical assessments complete here?"

"Yes, I'm done here. No concerns, but that's to be expected at a relatively new office. I'd be more worried about mental issues than physical."

Tank picked up. "Zulu has everything under control operationally. Gilpin is fully functional as his second, and the shift supervisors seem to be a good fit. No concerns after Marcus' dismissal."

"Good," Ranger replied. "Any issues with the co-ed nature of this team that we aren't seeing at our male-dominated locations?"

"No, honestly, this team seems strong. Zulu let a couple go that couldn't seem to handle women in leadership roles. I think it helped that there was a female interviewer at all interviews," Lester responded.

Ranger nodded. Sometimes that man acts as if words cost money.

We spent another 15 minutes going over Trenton business. We'd left Cal and Junior in charge. They'd always been our next pick for office leads if and when the core team moved locations, so this was a good test for them.

Cal had some minor issues with the police department in our absence based on some not liking his tattoos. Junior had been able to smooth that over though; they made a good team.

As the meeting began to wind down, I broached the subject of heading back to Trenton.

"I think it is probably time for you guys to go. I will be staying," Ranger stated matter of fact.

Only Lester would touch that, "to get Beautiful alone in a house all to yourself?"

Ranger replied with a "fuck off."

"Seriously, how long will you stay here? Will she ever be ready to come back to Trenton?" Lester asked.

"I'll stay as long as I need to. I'm not leaving her…not for more than a couple days if needed." I noticed he ignored the question about Bomber returning to Trenton.

"Man, I'd feel better if one of us stayed here and watched your back," Tank interjected.

"But we'd interrupt his plans for lovin'," Lester stupidly added. Ranger cuffed him on the back of the head.

"Tank you've got to get back to Tenton. Bobby will soon be headed off for physical assessments at other branches," Ranger responded. "We can reassess at a later date."

"Guess that leaves me, cuz," Lester added.

Ranger looked at him again. "Sometimes I'd rather have my back exposed."

Tank took that one. "You know that you need backup. Zulu and the team are focused on Stephanie and clients. I'd feel better if we left you back up. Unfortunately for you, that might be Santos. I could probably get Zip or Hal to switch out next week if you'd rather."

"I agree with Tank. Rangeman is also meant to protect your back. You focus on protecting Steph, Lester can watch your back."

With some grumbling, it was agreed that Lester would stay, Ranger insisted he needed to bunk at the office dormitory to interact with the new team members and get a sense of how operations were running at night when Zulu was off duty. None of us would call bullshit on that despite knowing he just wanted the house to himself and Bomber.

Tank and I would leave four days later, so we got about wrapping up business.