Bones and I stood outside the infirmary door in silence while we impatiently waited for Bobby and Kristina to finish with Beautiful. I know word of her condition is probably spreading through the building like wildfire. After all, the guys on monitors watched us carry her down here.

What if she was pregnant? Having a second Rangebaby around here would be kinda cool. And if she was pregnant, she'd be due about the same time as Celeste. That could be fun. My brain skidded to a stop as I looked over at the closed infirmary doors. What would that mean for Steph's recovery and would her being so sick cause harm to the baby?

Bobby opened the infirmary door. It wasn't even noon yet and he already looked as if he'd been working nonstop for days. "You guys can come back in now."

"Is she pregnant?" Bones asked before I could.

Bobby shook his head. "Thankfully, no. She has enough to deal with right now. A baby would have only complicated things." He motioned to Bones. "You can go ahead and take that x-ray now. As soon as you're done, I want these blood samples rushed to the lab."

He paused and angled a thumb toward his office. "I'm going to go call the lab to let them know you're coming. Then I'm calling Doctor Fisher. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Bobby turned to head out of the room, then paused as Ram and Hal returned with the ice. "Good. Place a pack on either side of her neck. Take the third and dump it into a bowl of water. Les, get a wet rag and use it on her forehead and face. Do me a favor and don't leave her until I get back."

That was one of the easiest requests he'd made in a while since I had no intention of going anywhere. Ram placed the packs against Steph's neck and Hal headed to the counter to find a container to fill with water and ice. Bones moved the portable X-ray machine in place, set everything up to take the pic, and then placed a lead drape over Steph's abdomen. He handed me a lead apron and then he donned one himself. "Alright, everyone but Santos, get out for a few minutes," he ordered.

When he was done with the x-ray, Ram reappeared beside me. "Ranger's mission was supposed to be a max of five to six weeks. That means he'll be due back soon. He'll be beside himself with worry and guilt if he sees her like this."

He wasn't wrong. Knowing my cousin, if he came home to her like this, he'd be beating himself up for agreeing to go. On the flip side, he'd be doing the same thing if he didn't go, and Garrett died some horrible death at the enemy's hands.

"I'm already beside myself with worry," I replied as I soaked the white towel in the ice water, wrung it out, and placed it on Steph's forehead. "Even more so, because of how wound up she has Bobby right now."

Ram's gaze drifted toward Bobby's office. "I know what you mean. The last time I saw Bobby this tense was when we nearly lost you last year when you were shot."

From what Cal told me once I was back home and recovering, Bobby wasn't the only one upset that day. I hate how sometimes it takes one of us getting sick or hurt to be reminded of how much of a family we've all become.

"I mean he was pretty upset over Steph and Hal's accident," Ram continued pulling me from my thoughts. "But from the very beginning that was out of his hands. When you were shot, he was front and center. He was the first responder on the scene." Ram motioned to me. "And he's the first responder again with Steph."

"That is his job," I reminded Ram. "He knew what he was getting into when he decided to become a medic and then later when he decided to become a PA. I mean, I'm not denying that it stresses him out, but that's only because he's damn good at what he does, and he cares so much."

"True." Ram agreed, but before he could say anything else, Bobby emerged from his office.

"Okay." He approached Steph's bedside and checked the monitors. "I've done all I can for now. Doctor Fisher will be over shortly to assess Bomber's condition. Depending on what he advises and what the lab report and x-rays tell us, we might be shipping her to St. Francis."

"Why aren't we just going there now?" Ram asked.

"You know how she despises hospitals," Bobby said. "She'd be more comfortable here. If she's more comfortable she'll heal quicker. Plus, I want to take care of her if I can." Bobby shook his head. "I'm not saying she wouldn't get great care at St. Francis, but she'll get more one-on-one care staying here."

He made several great points. I know I'd rather be here in Bobby's care than stuck in a hospital room at St. Francis.

"If Doctor Fisher thinks she needs more treatment than what I can give her, then we'll move her to St. Francis. Until then we're keeping her here." He pointed a finger at Manny who had just walked back into the infirmary. "You, Mister. Plant your ass on bed two."

Manny froze, and his eyes widened like a deer in headlights. "What? Why?"

"Because I want to check you over."

Manny shook his head. "You said the other day that if I started feeling bad to let you know. I feel fine."

"I don't care what I said. I'm glad you feel fine," Bobby replied. "None of that changes the fact that you were also in that water with Steph. The last thing I want, or need is for two of you to be down sick."

"I'm not sick, Manny argued. "And I wasn't the one with the head cold."

"Right now, we don't know for sure that her pneumonia is virus-based," Bobby countered. "It could be bacterial, and it could be from the pond water you both found yourselves in. If that's the case, then you're in danger of getting sick too. Just because you're not yet, doesn't mean it will stay that way." He pointed to the bed. "Sit."

We all knew that when it came to remaining on duty, Bobby had the final say. He was in charge of our physical and mental health and took that responsibility seriously. Manny hung his head and made his way to sickbay two.

Bobby turned to look at me. "Can you send someone back to the pond to take water samples? That way we can check for bacteria and cross-match anything we find in Steph and Manny's bloodwork."

"Bloodwork?" Manny echoed. "Why do I need bloodwork?"

Ram turned to look at Manny and scowled. "Are you seriously going to sit there and act like a pussy over a little needle, when Bomber is laying here fighting for her life…again?"

The next protest Manny was attempting to formulate died before it passed his lips. His shoulders slumped and he shook his head. "I'm sorry. You all just know how much I hate needles."

"Everyone has some kind of phobia," Bobby said as he set up to take blood from Manny. "We've seen Cal faint at the sight of blood. Then Vince had that full-on panic attack last year when we picked up the FTA who likes to dress as a clown." He managed to slide the needle into Manny's arm without any further protest. "Gene is claustrophobic." He removed the needle and glanced over his shoulder at Ram. "You have a fear of vomiting."

I snickered as Ram visibly bristled at Bobby calling him out. Then Ram turned his attention to me. "You're one to laugh, pal. Do you somehow think now that you finally have a girlfriend, you're suddenly cured of your commitment phobia?"

"Considering I bought her an engagement ring, I better be," I snapped.

My comment had all the guys stopping in their tracks to look over at me. "You bought Casey an engagement ring? When?" Bobby asked.

"The day we caught Byron stalking her at the mall."

"Oh man," Ram ran a hand through his hair. "That's it. I've officially lost my wingman."

"Brett is still single," I replied, as I dipped the cloth in the ice water, wrung it out, and placed it back on Beautiful's forehead. I know just how much Ram doesn't like Brett. "I'm sure I can arrange to have Chet switch partners with me, so you can gain yourself a new wingman."

Ram froze and narrowed his eyes as he stared down at me. "You wouldn't dare."

I arched a brow as I looked up at him from where I sat. We'd been partners for years and I love Ram like a brother, but he'd become a bit moody over the last couple of months. A small reminder of how good he has it compared to some of the guys here just might be in order.

His hardened expression disappeared, and he dropped his hand back to his side. "Sorry."

I nodded my acceptance of his apology. It was becoming increasingly obvious that something was bothering him. Being both his partner and friend, I wanted to know what it was. At least if I knew, maybe I might be able to help with whatever was troubling him. That conversation would have to wait for another day. Right now, Steph takes priority. "I need you to run the control room floor for a while."

His expression brightened. "Sure thing."

"Good. Then can you arrange for a patrol team to get the samples Bobby wants?"

"I'm on it," he replied, then turned to go.

Once he was out of hearing distance Bobby looked from the door to me. "What's with him?"

I shook my head. "I don't know, but once things settle down, I plan to find out."

I'm not sure how much time passed before Doctor Fisher arrived to assess Beautiful. Once he determined that everything Bobby did was correct and she could stay at Rangeman, I was tasked with making the unenviable phone call to her folks to let them know what was going on.

Thankfully, Steph's grandmother was the one to answer the phone when I called, and I was able to ask to speak with Mr. Plum. Knowing her mother's history of complaining about Stephanie, I expected Mrs. Plum to start lamenting about what a disappointment Steph continued to be for the family. Instead, she seemed genuinely concerned for her daughter.

Mr. And Mrs. Plum came by for a little while to sit with Stephanie. While Beautiful's relationship with her mother was still somewhat strained, it was better than it was back in the spring. The removal of Mrs. Plum's brain tumor helped. With the pressure of the tumor gone, her personality returned more to normal. Having Stephanie married to a man who was more than capable of taking care of her also helped.

She did question Bobby about keeping Beautiful at Rangeman instead of the hospital, but once he explained his reasons, she was completely on board. Knowing her daughter would have one on one care twenty-four-seven helped to sway her opinion.

Thankfully, by the next morning, Steph's fever had come down a little and according to Bobby, she'd stabilized. After discussing her situation with Doctor Fisher and Doctor Masterson over at St. Francis, they decided to administer an IV of broad-spectrum antibiotics. According to Bobby, it was a preemptive strike because her bloodwork revealed a bacterial infection. While they didn't know what kind of bacteria just yet, as they were still waiting for the results of the water samples taken from the pond to come back. It was better to be safe.

"We can tailor the antibiotics more once we have a better idea of the type of bacteria we're dealing with."

Even though he was still showing no symptoms, Bobby also placed Manny on an oral version of the antibiotic along with a probiotic. "Better to be safe," Bobby also told him.

I'd just left Casey sitting with Steph and was heading back up to five when my cell rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and frowned at the screen. Junior was calling me from the control room.

I connected the call. "I'm on my way up."

"Well, you need to head to the garage instead," Junior replied. "Ranger and Tank are back."