116Two hours later I was sitting on my couch with my bags packed around me when Ranger walked in. He seemed a little bit surprised to see me ready and waiting, but then his blank face slammed back on.
"Babe, last chance, after this it will be beyond me. You won't be meeting or talking to anyone for one whole year. There will be no going back once we step outside this door." He stated intently.
"I am ready." I said, proud that I did so without shaking too violently.
"Let's go" he nodded towards the door. He picked up my bags and led me out.
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My training had many different aspects, none of which were taught by Ranger. He'd decided that he'd go too easy on me because of our history, or so he told me on the way over. He hadn't exaggerated when he said I wouldn't be able to call or see my family or friends, the only correspondence could be done through writing letters, which were limited to ten per month.
The first month was the hardest as they made a lot of changes to my diet, my sleep schedule and increased my exercise. All I has to do was exercise, they didn't teach me any moves or anything, just put me on a tight schedule. I did learn how to pick a lock and get out of handcuffs though. That was fun, and about the only thing I'd look forward to everyday. I made a few new friends but for the most part I was too busy or too exhausted to think about anything else.
The next two months were easier as I was used to the routine, but we'd started the actual training. Turns out that you can kill a person in nine different ways with your pinkie. Who knew? There were a few moments here and there when I missed my family, friends, Ranger… but most of my time was spent dodging punches.
The next three months turned out to be the most interesting though. My 'sexy stranger', the guy Ranger had called 'Sergeant', was my weapons instructor. He had an actual name it turns out, Phil, short for Philip. Since there were only five people in our 'class' and the other four were comfortable with weapons he spent most of the time with me.
It was interesting getting to know him, apparently he was a replacement, doing a favour to the guy who was actually supposed to be doing this. The guy had recently become a grandfather and wanted to be there for his new grandkid. No complaints here, I'm happy with the replacement.
Phil told me that he has a weak spot for donuts and does a ten mile run every morning to earn his donuts. I was on a tight diet and wasn't allowed such liberties, even though I almost wept this one time when he had some residue sprinkles on his shirt. He immediately noticed what held my attention and took his shirt off. Now he didn't know about how my sweet hormones get replaced by sex hormones and how I was imagining him as a giant donut. Let's just say that that was the most difficult two hours I've ever had.
Before I knew it, my time with Phil was over, but not without a strong friendship and a bond that only donot'oholics have, which as legend says is stronger than any other bond.
The next six months were part heaven and part hell. I was placed into a group of five people, each from a different background and a different skill set and we were given five missions for the next six months, each increasing in difficulty. Failing a single of those missions would result in failing the entire training. It was gruelling, scary and dangerous all rolled into one, but every couple of weeks Phil would sneak in a donut and a few words of motivation and that got me through the worst of the training.
I made it. I. Made. It. The director of the training school handed me the graduation certificate with a beaming smile and I couldn't help but smile back. I looked into the crowd and saw a man in black, standing rigidly near the back with a hint of a smile on his face.
"Babe" he mouthed.
I smiled back.
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"I'm so proud of you babe, you made it." He said as he pulled me into his arms and spinning me around. I squealed as he put me down.
"I've missed you." I told him, looking into his chocolate brown eyes.
"I missed you too babe, more than you know." He replied.
Before I could question him anymore, I saw Phil in peripheral and jumped out of Ranger's arm to greet him. He'd promised that he'd be there for my graduation and he made it. I hugged him really hard and he kissed my forehead as we separated. "Princess, I knew you'd make it! You make me so proud!" he exclaimed. I blushed scarlet as he whispered in my ear and told me that he had a whole case of Boston crèmes in his car as graduation present.
Phil suddenly tensed as he saw something behind me. I turned around and followed his gaze and realised that Ranger was glaring holes into us.
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A/N: I hope I've clarified everything in this chapter, but just for the record Phil has a greater clearance than Ranger. Phil and Steph are friends but Ranger doesn't know that. Jealous Ranger will be making an appearance soon. Phil and Steph are going to become close friends. Please review and make my day.