158I'm having so much fun writing these stories I just can't stop! I've found that most of you don't like the one shots (I keep getting messages begging me to turn them into more) so here's a new Chapter story to curb your appetites.
Of course there will be Smut in later chapters as Smut and Ranger and should always go hand in hand :)
RPOV
8 months. That's how long it's been since I've been 'in the wind'. The longest mission I've been called to since retiring from active duty. Only deployment has been longer and, with that, the mission wasn't ongoing like this one was.
Lester was also called to this mission, per my request. We had been following a Columbian drug lord's activity in Trenton for 2 years and finally the government was letting us take a closer look. We've both done these kinds of missions before, infiltrate the camp, take out the muscle, and bring in the drug lord. 1 month tops.
Neither of us was expecting the mission to take a turn for the worse. When we arrived in Columbia we set up security teams to watch Diego's every move. We already knew the location of his camp and personal home so Lester and I took the opportunity to let ourselves into his compound while he was running drugs across the border.
It was easy to take out the initial muscle and soldiers he had working for him. The problem was that once we were inside we found women and children working the fields and separating the drugs. This was not included in the details provided to us. For us, the mission became more than taking down Diego, we had to help these people get their lives back. Most of them were being held prisoner, threats to their family and loved ones if they tried to escape.
In short, it took 2 months to take down Diego, and 3 to help relocate the women and children. By the time we had the mission wrapped up nice and tight for the government there was a new mission. When I signed my contract with the government 5 years ago it was for 6 years or 20 missions, whichever came first. The voluntary mission would be my 20th and get me out of my contract for good.
It was a struggle to make the decision. I wanted nothing more than to go back to Trenton, to my business, to my babe. Although I wouldn't admit it to her, she was what kept me grounded when I was away. When I left, her and the cop were in an off stage and prayed she they would still be off when I returned.
On the other hand, if I did this last mission then I was out. No more going 'in the wind', no more keeping Stephanie at bay, and no more making excuses as to why I couldn't settle down. I wasn't going to renew my contract, I had decided that the day I met Steph in the diner and she asked for my help in becoming a badass bounty hunter.
Deciding to just get it over with, Lester and I both volunteered for what would be my final mission and have spent the last 3 months trekking across the Middle East trying to locate a witness in a federal case. We found him 2 days ago and we are now on our way back to New Jersey, Lester passed out from exhaustion next to me.
As much as I tried to sleep I couldn't shut my mind down. I was nervous about seeing Steph again. So much could have changed in 8 months. God, she could be married to Morelli by now. Sighing, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, trying to relax. It did no good but at least with my eyes closed I could picture her.
SPOV
Something felt wrong. I had been tossing and turning for the last 3 hours but despite my attempts just couldn't fall asleep. The clock said it was 1am. Groaning I turned over again and tried to find a comfortable position. I froze when I heard the locks tumble on my front door. Thanks to the change in employment I made a couple months ago, crazy people hadn't been breaking into my house.
Quietly I reached for my gun, which I now kept on my bed side, table and slipped out of bed positioning myself so I had a clear shot of the doorway and waited.
"Are you really going to shoot me babe?" I froze. It was his voice but it sounded different somehow, tired, rough.
"Ranger?" Tears were already forming in my eyes. It had been 8 months since he left, 8 months since we last spoke. A part of me had accepted the idea that he may never be returning. It was that part of me that broke when he stepped into my bedroom. How could I have given up on this man?
Without thinking I flung myself across the room and into his arms. Silent tears streamed down my face as I breathed in the distinct scent that was Ranger. He maneuvered us so he was sitting on his chair, as I had come to dub it, holding me in his lap.
"When did you get back?" I whispered into his neck.
"Just now." I squeezed him to make sure he was real. "I'm so tired Steph." He gently lifted my chin so we were eye to eye and wiped the tears away with his thumbs. "I feel like I haven't slept in 8 months." I knew the feeling. Ever since Ranger had left I'd have nightmares about him dying or getting injured.
Standing up I tugged on his arm and led him over to the bed. He slipped his shoes off, took off his gun belt, and climbed in fully clothed. I settled beside him and he pulled me close instantly falling asleep. I followed a few seconds later.
RPOV
Beep… Beep… Beep
Groaning I reached over and turned off Stephanie's alarm. It was 6am and I sighed as I reached for her. There was nothing but empty sheets next to me and I shot out of bed. The bathroom door opened and Steph stood before me in a pinstriped pant suit, hair beautifully framing her face.
"Sorry, I forgot to turn the alarm off when I got up." I glanced at the clock again checking the time. Yeah, it said 6:05am. What the hell?
Stephanie must have seen the confusion on my face because she laughed, walking past me to the living room, and yelled over her shoulder. "I don't work for Vinnie anymore. I quit 4 months ago."
I followed her into the kitchen as she pulled two mugs out of the cupboard and filled them with coffee.
"Where do you work?"
Turning to me she smiled before taking a sip of the delicious liquid. "Rangeman of course."
Maybe I should have been checking in with Tank more often. Last I talked to him was 3 months ago before Lester and I went on our second mission. I wonder why he hadn't said anything to me about Steph working full time for my company then?
"Your business has been taking off. There's too much work and not enough people. I started doing skip tracing full time but the clients kept rolling in and one night Tank asked me to meet with a new client that he had accidentally overbooked. Turns out they loved me so now I mainly do client meetings." She glanced at her watched and cursed, "Which I'll be late for if I don't leave now."
She grabbed her purse and paused at the door, "Do you need a ride?" Nodding I grabbed my stuff and followed her out the door.
She walked towards a new black BMW. I slid into the passenger seat and tried to digest what she had just told me. My company was booming, that was good news, Stephanie was working for me full time, great news, so why did I feel like someone had punched me in the stomach?
I've always given Tank the authority to make changes as needed while I was away. Brining Stephanie on full time to work with clients is one of the best business decisions he could have made. She has a way with people that makes them feel comfortable, and she has the best instincts a person could ask for.
"Are you okay with all this?" Steph broke my train of thought. I could hear the apprehension in her voice. "I mean, this is your company. If you just want me to work on skip tracing I'm okay with that."
"No. Of course I'm fine with this Steph." I ran my hand over my face, "A lot has changed and it will just take me a couple days to get used to it." We were pulling into the Rangeman garage and I felt some anxiety leave me at the familiarity.
I glanced over at Steph once we were in the elevator and swallowed the need to pull her close to me. She wasn't wearing a ring on her finger so I knew her and Morelli weren't married, but I couldn't get up the courage to ask what their status was.
"I'll see you later then" She said waving as she stepped onto 5.
SPOV
My morning flew by. I had 3 meetings back to back, all leading to new security contracts. Because of all the new business I was the only person meeting with new clients. Tank, Hal, and Bobby were splitting the contracts amongst themselves. Everyone had been pulling 60 hour work weeks since Ranger left and we were all looking forward to him approving a few new hires.
Thinking of Ranger brought a fresh set of tears to my eyes. That man had no idea how much I needed him. I still couldn't believe he was home, and while I was so excited to see him every day, I was a little nervous as well.
When he came to me and said he was going 'in the wind' I had been 3 months pregnant with Joe's baby. No one knew, not even Mary Lou or Lula. Once he was gone I promised myself to tell him when he called, but he never did.
Of course I couldn't hide the pregnancy forever and soon rumors started flying. It still hurt to think how everything turned out. If it hadn't been for Tank and the guys at Rangeman I don't know where I'd be today. I shook my head, not wanting to go there just yet and wiped the tears from my eyes.
The air pressure changed and I felt the familiar tingle along my spine. Ranger had just exited the elevator and if it wasn't for my body's response the way the office quieted down would have signaled his arrival just as well.
He stopped to talk to Tank and they both looked in my direction, waving me over. I grabbed the 3 new client files and headed their way.
"How did the meetings go this morning?" Tank asked as we followed Ranger into his office, both of us taking a seat across from his desk.
I handed him the files and answered, "Great!" I smiled, "All three clients are happy with the services we provide and would like to schedule a time to get things started." In the 3 months I had been meeting with prospective clients all had signed contracts with Rangeman. It felt good to finally be doing something productive with my life. For once I felt like I had a purpose and people relied on me to take care of things.
"Tank has been filling me in on all the changes around here. You've been doing a great job Steph." I blushed; I couldn't help it when Ranger complimented me. "But," My heart dropped into my stomach, he was upset about the changes. I know I told him I was fine just doing skip tracing but I really wasn't. I couldn't go back to doing some mundane job day in and day out. "We don't think someone with your responsibility should be working out of a cubicle."
I looked over at Tank and he smiled at me. "We're going to get you your own office Bomber."
"Really?" I shrieked, covering my mouth when they winced. "Sorry, it's just that… I thought you were going to make me do skip tracing again."
Ranger gave me his 200-watt smile "No way babe. It's only 2 months into the year and we've already signed more contracts than we did last year in total."
Holy crap, I knew business had been going good, I had no idea it was doing that well. Tank glanced at his watched and sighed "Well, I guess I better set up these contracts. Thanks Steph, Boss." He nodded and left.
"You hungry?" Ranger asked once Tank exited.
"Always." I answered as my stomach let out a loud rumble. Ranger chuckled and opened the door for me.
"Pino's okay?" Nodding I followed him to the elevator. "You have a meeting at 2 right?" How did he know? "Babe, I do run this company. That gives me access to everyone's schedule." He smirked at me and I smiled back blushing.
"I hate that you can tell what I'm thinking." I teased him.
"You're an open book to me babe." My smile faltered as I thought back to what he didn't know about me. What would he think? Would he be mad I didn't tell him? What if he already knew or someone around town told him before I could?
His finger ran across my cheek. "Deep thoughts babe?"
We exited the elevator and walked towards his Porsche. "No, I was just thinking how much I missed you." He opened the passenger door for me and I slid in.
"I missed you too Stephanie." He said as he angled into the driver's seat and we headed toward Pino's. God I hope Joe isn't there.
I scanned the parking lot and let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding when no familiar cars were present. Inside there were a few cops but none that I was close to.
Ranger picked a booth in the back, his back to the wall, as usual. Once we ordered he asked the one question I was trying to avoid, "So, Steph, tell me what's happened in your life while I've been away."