Saving Julie

a/n You may have to get out your old copies of Twelve Sharp to really enjoy this story. And while it is a Mercenary Ranger fic, there are anomalies to my regular world/ arc: in this story Julie does not know Ranger's family; and another first meeting between Anthony and Stephanie, although considering what is going on here in the hospital, she later, in TAC, may not recall that they'd briefly met this night.
And Julie's famous pink phone is an iPhone!

"Missing" the beginning chapters has appeared briefly on other venues, it may seem familiar to a few of you. Please keep reading...

You'll enjoy both stories best if you don 't dwell on the contraditions. As Tim What'shisname [Project Runway] says:"Make it work!".  enjoy...

.....

SAVING JULIE

prolog:

We stood in the parking lot in the dark. Cops, Feebs, Rangeman, Morelli. Me and Nick and Jilly and Tank and Ranger. My name is Anthony Stewart and right now life really sucks. Bigtime.

Part One - Missing

Chapter One

one week earlier, Miami FL

Rachel Martine poured juice for her two youngest kids and looked at the kitchen clock. Julie was late again. The school year was almost over and the kids had summer fever. Julie had dawdled before, hanging with her friends, stopping for a soda. Rachel sighed in exasperation. Julie knew better. But the girl was strong willed. Sweet and smart, but she basically did what she wanted to do, and the rules be damned.

Rachel dialed Julie’s cell phone. No answer. Rachel didn’t think a ten year old needed a cell phone, but the child’s biological father had given her a phone when she was only eight. The current phone was an expensive new pink iPhone. Julie loved it and it was unusual for her not to answer. Rachel felt a twinge of unease.

Then the kitchen phone rang.

“Rachel? This is Meredith, Carrie’s mom?”

“Sure. Hi!”

“Oh god, Rachel, I don’t know how to tell you this. The police are on their way to you now. Julie—oh, god—the girls got off the bus and some guy grabbed Julie right off the sidewalk. He took her! Dragged her into a car.”

“Oh ! But…?”

“The girls ran to my house and we called the police, they’ll be there soon.”

Rachel looked out the front window, saw the red and blue lights flashing in her driveway.

She said, “They’re here now, I gotta go.”

Doorbell. Two uniformed cops. Yes she was Rachel Martine. Yes her daughter is Julie Martine.

The policemen told her the same wild tale that Meredith had given her. Rachel sat in disbelief. How could this happen? Who would take her baby, her Julie?

The policemen asked, “Is there any family member who might pick Julie up like that? Maybe an estranged spouse?”

“No, no. Her dad and I are happily married. Her dad’s at work. And why would Ron grab her, no way.”

They paged Ron at the office, he said he’d be right there. He knew nothing and was obviously terrified.

The uniformed cops were soon augmented by plain clothes detectives. They had interviewed the two other girls.

The cop said, “These are little girls, they’re scared and overexcited. So the description is not too good. Adult male, dark hair, dark skin, not African American, so probably Hispanic/ Latino, whatever. No idea of age—“a grown-up”. Black clothes, black sunglasses…does that ring a bell, ma’am, you looked like it meant something to you?”

Rachel said, “Well, the description could fit Julie’s biological father, but he is in New Jersey and also he has no reason to kidnap Julie. We are on good terms, he can see her whenever he wants.”

“Does he have joint custody?”

“No, no. No custody, he gave Julie up for adoption, she was adopted by my second husband. But he keeps in touch, and like I said, he can see Julie any time, he’d never hurt her or scare her. He loves her.”

“Do you have a photo?”

“Of Julie? I have lots of photos of Julie.”

The cop patted her arm and said gently, “Of her biological father…..?”

“Only an old one from when we were married.”

“Can you get it?”

Rachel nodded and returned in a few moments with a silver framed formal portrait of a very handsome, very young man in full military uniform.

Rachel said, “He was in the Army. It’s at least ten years old, the photo. But it looks like him. He has longer hair now of course.”

The young soldier had his dress cap under his arm and his head was bare, dark hair cut very short. His eyes were serious and dark, his complexion a warm mocha color. The cop absently noted the extensive array of combat and medal ribbons on the man’s uniform.

 He thought, Racially mixed Latino, maybe Cuban? Or Puerto Rican. Mrs. Martine looked Latina as did her husband. He lost the train of thought, asking also for a current photo of the missing girl.

He looked at the school portrait. “Cute kid. Looks like the dad.”

Rachel sighed. “Yeah. She does.”

They were interrupted by the arrival of the FBI missing persons squad. Two men and a woman. The questions started all over again.

Rachel thought, The clock is running out. Where are you, Julie?

………………………………………………………..

The uniformed officer said, “We’ve got a photo of the girl’s father, but it’s out of date….”

The FBI agent looked at the photo and said, “Out of date is the least of your problems. See how this looks like a formal military portrait, all very clear and sharp until you look close and realize you can’t see this guy’s rank or regiment or anything. The details are very carefully blurred.''

“What’s that mean?”

“This guy was maybe Special Ops, or Delta. We’ll need permission from the DoD---the Department of Defense---to use this in the media.”

The senior agent left Rachel and Ron with the uniformed female cop, come over to look at the photo. He took the 8 X 10, gave it a glance, looked harder, frowned. He walked back to Rachel and said, “Your ex-husband is Carlos Manoso?”

“Um, yes?” Rachel was bewildered. How did this agent know Carlos?

Now every law enforcement officer in the room turned and stared at her. All of them knew his name if not his face. Rangeman Miami was well-known and respected, did a lot of jobs for Miami PD and the local FBI and DEA offices.

She said, “What! I told you he’d never kidnap Julie.”

Ron interrupted. “I think the man is here in person. Guess he’s not in Jersey after all.”

Everyone’s eyes swiveled to the curb. Black Porsche SUV. Ranger and his guy Lester Santos got out and headed up the walk.

Every cop in the room thought, Who the hell drives a Porsche SUV, this guy must be loaded….

Rachel sighed again. Even after all these years apart, Ranger got to her. And he was so---well, Ranger. Dressed in black, armed to the teeth, handsome as a film star. Only better. A lot better.

“Oh god, Carlos, someone took her! Just like you said, omigod….”

She threw herself sobbing on his chest.  Ranger hugged her gently, reaching beyond her to shake Ron’s hand, nodded to the senior FBI man, obviously someone he knew well.

The cops who did not know Ranger and Santos looked uneasy. The Porsche screamed drug dealer and they were not comfortable with what they saw as 'civilians' carrying so many weapons.

Needless to say, the cops’ comfort level meant nothing to Ranger. He was always armed. And always dangerous.

…………………………………..

There were a few minutes of confusion, questions, explanations. Ranger listened calmly then said that Julie’s phone had GPS and that he had also given her a panic button/ GPS gadget fob for her backpack. He said that both were monitored 24/7 by Rangeman Miami. And that the signals had dropped off the screen about an hour earlier. So he here was, what the fuck is going on?

Rachel looked amazed.

Ranger said, “Unfortunately the unsub disabled and tossed both trackers as soon as he could. We found them on the street a few blocks from Julie’s bus stop.”

He proceeded to explain about the stalker and  the attempted identity theft, adding,“I’ve always kept my relationship with Julie as secret as possible. Yet somehow the unsub found out. Was he stalking me? Did he find out from family? So far we don’t have any answers.”

The FBI Special Agent in Charge said, “What I suggest is that we issue the Amber Alert saying that we believe Julie’s father took her. We’ll use that photo, go on TV, maybe this player will get crazy and show himself.”

Ranger said, “The other possibilities are that her kidnapping is totally unrelated to this guy and someone else is trying to get to me through her. Or we may get a ransom demand.”

Rachel said, “Why would anyone think Ron and I are so rich that our daughter would be targeted?”

Ranger said, “Obviously, again, someone who somehow figured out that she is my child.”

Rachel said, “Oh yeah, I’m forgetting. You’re the guy with all the money, aren’t you?”

One of the Miami cops said, “So, you got any enemies?”

Silence.

Then Ranger said, “A few.”

“We’ll need a list.”

“No list.”

“But---“

Ranger turned to the man holding his military photo. He said, “You can use that photo but you’ll need permission from the Department of Defense. I’ll give you a number. They will require that the photo be more censored than it is.”

The cop said, “What are you, man, some sort of spook, some kinda black ops guy?”

Ranger did the blank stare.

Finally the cop said, “Oh. Oh shit.”

…………….

Later...

The SAC said to Ranger, “Okay. We’ve got the kidnapping on all the media, CNN is running it constantly. Uh---the Pentagon gave us a more extensively censored photo of you, but they have refused to allow us to show a current picture. I mean, we could snap a cell phone digital shot….”

“No.”

“Yeah. I guess I get it. The CIA and Justice have been in touch too.”

?

The SAC thought to himself, I know this guy is good and this is national security stuff, but geez, Manoso is annoying. The chin tilt. The blank stare. And scary----oh, man….He continued, “We’ll have a segment added to America’s Most Wanted tonight. Maybe this will flush the guy out. I think at this point we have to go with your stalker. There have been no ransom demands and I’m going to assume that if your covert ops enemies had contacted you, you’d have figured out how to tell us.”

“No. No word from the street or underground. Or my other contacts.”

No one  spoke their next greatest fear, that Julie was taken by a random sexual predator.

Finally the female FBI agent cleared her throat.  She said, “We also are showing Julie’s school photo. It is ---well, the usual. Cute kid, Catholic school uniform. And it looks enough like her that people would recognize her if they saw her.”

Everyone nodded a little.

Ranger said, “But?”

She went on. “Well, I’ve been looking at the family pictures here, and –um—Julie is really very unusual looking, she is---uh…”

Rachel said softly, “Beautiful.”

“Yes. And that might make her a target for a predator of another kind, someone who is turned on by a beautiful child in a school uniform.”

Rachel sobbed.

“I am sorry, it is something we must consider, Mrs. Martine.”

Rachel raised her tearstained face from her husband’s shoulder. She looked at Ranger and hissed, “This is your fault! I tried to tell you she was beautiful, she looks just like you! No matter how I tried to keep her looking like a normal child, she always draws attention. She has your face, your hair…your smile, your eyes…..”

She sobbed some more.

Ranger looked blank, but Lester rested a reassuring hand on Ranger’s shoulder.

Finally Ranger said, “Julie is normal little girl, Rachel. She can’t help how she looks. I can’t help how she looks. Would you really prefer your daughter to be ugly?”

His voice was low but his anger---or anguish---showed through a tiny bit. He got up and walked out of the room. Silence remained in his wake except for  Rachel’s sobs.

Lester stood up but decided to give Ranger some space. Instead he walked over to the sliding glass doors, staring out at the aquamarine pool and beautiful landscaping. That Ranger paid for, he thought bitterly.

The FBI agent came and stood next to Lester. He said, “She is overwrought, it’s hard.”

Lester said, “Yeah well. What she said, it’s just so wrong, man. How could she say that, how can she hurt him like that. How they look…man, it’s so fucking cruel.”

“I know, but…”

“And she refused to have Julie guarded! Oh no, no bodyguards, no tails. Julie had to be a regular kid, what’s with that shit? We’ve had bodyguards, you learn to live with it.” 

The agent had noted Santos’s strong resemblance to Ranger Manoso. Santos was not quite as intimidating as Ranger but he had the same exotic looks, the muscular build, the intense black eyes. Like Carlos Manoso and Julie Martine, Lester Santos was beautiful.

Maybe a cousin, the agent thought, wondering just how wealthy these men were and where the money really came from. He had the notion that Manoso came from old Havana banking money, but the details were unclear.

Lester went on. “She told Ranger if he went against her wishes she’d have a restraining order filed against him, that she’d refuse to let him see Julie.”

“So…?”

“So---what? Now you’re thinking he did kidnap her? Get real. He accepted her decision. And he tried to keep a low profile to keep his baby safe.”

“Hard to do.”

Lester shrugged.

…

Ranger stood on the front porch, staring at his cell phone. Finally he gave himself a mental shake and retrieved  his messages.

...................................

Chapter Two

As soon as she realized how bad things would get, Rachel called her parents to come help with the two younger children. The au pair had taken them to their rooms and kept them busy but the kids knew something was wrong, especially Sophie who was just three years younger than Julie.

Now as their grandparents came into the house, the two children ran out, followed by their nanny. Ron and Rachel were engaged in a low-voiced intense explanation of the situation and so the kids focused on all the other people in the big family room/ kitchen. Then they zeroed in on Ranger.

The SAC watched carefully, surprised and somehow reassured.

“Ranger! Ranger!  Ranger! We didn’t know you were coming!”

They flung themselves at him and he easily caught little Mark and swung him up in his arms, leaning over to hug Sophie with his free arm. The two kids chattered a mile a minute and Ranger sat down on the sofa, smiling wide for the first time since he’d appeared.

The SAC listened to Mark tell about T-ball camp.

Ranger said, “Awesome.”

 And promised they’d toss some balls as soon as Ranger had time. Then he listened to Sophie tell about art camp, seriously examining and commenting on the picture she brought to show him.

Ranger was amazing, his focus complete on the two children who obviously loved and respected him. They showed absolutely no fear or distance from the scary young mercenary. At least not until Sophie asked, “Where is Julie? What is wrong?”

Rachel had come into the room and she said, “Julie is not home yet and we are worried about her. But everything will be fine.”

They turned to Ranger who broadcast warm/ safe vibes and agreed, “Julie will be home soon, don’t worry.”

“You promise, Ranger?”

“Yeah.”

Then Rachel and the au pair got the kids out by the pool, supervised by the grandparents. Ranger glanced at the SAC who was studying him in some surprise. Ranger said, “Dogs and kids love me, what can I tell you….. .”

 …………………………………………………………

Later Ron stood at the glass sliders where Lester Santos had stood earlier.

Ronald Martine was a pleasant-looking man in his late thirties, the SAC noted. Martine was well-built and attractive in a Latino way, dark hair and brown eyes. He was shorter that Carlos Manoso, less muscular, quite a lot older, and though rather handsome, he lacked the movie star good looks of the ex-husband. He lacked the aura of extreme danger too, no doubt was an upstanding citizen, good husband, loving dad. But he was no Ranger Manoso.

The SAC sighed to himself thinking, Well. Shit. Who is? Not this guy. Not me….

Right now Martine looked frightened but determined, and the SAC felt a jolt of respect for this quiet, simple man. The FBI agents had noted the expensive house, the pool, the au pair, the BMW SUV that Rachel Martine drove instead of a mom van. The SAC had the idea that the au pair was a Rangeman employee---in more ways than one. And that the car probably was monitored by Rangeman Central just like Julie’s phone had been.

Ranger was on the patio speaking with his former in-laws. They treated him with kindness and respect, apparently no hard feelings. The kids played in the pool and Ranger again broke into his rare smile at their antics.

These two kids were obviously Ron’s own.

Both had his shorter, stockier build and  pleasant features. The girl, Sophie, was quite pretty at age seven, her hair tawny brown, her cheeks rosy in her light brown face. She had her mom’s coloring. Neither child had the odd, wondrous beauty of their older half sister, probably just as well, the SAC thought.

Ron sighed, rubbing his face.

He said, “This situation is exactly what Ranger always feared.”

The FBI agent  just listened, lending an ear, learning these peoples’ lives.

Ron went on, “You’re wondering why we let him into our lives so totally, aren’t you? I’m sure you know that a guy like me, in AC repair, can’t afford a house like this, an au pair, a BMW, the clothes my wife wears…. But he’s a really good guy, fucked up, but a good person. You know he pays for Catholic school for all my kids? All three kids have trust funds, college funds; there will be plenty, even if the kids decide to go to Ivy League colleges, if they ever actually want to go to a school like that. Me, I can’t imagine. I’m from the barrio, I worked hard to stay outta trouble, get a trade. But I couldn’t ever provide what he so effortlessly gives all my kids.

“I met Rachel not long after she was divorced, we hit it off right away. She was---is---just so pretty and funny and brave. Single mom, going it alone---no complaints, no excuses. I loved her, loved little Julie. So much. But I wondered…I mean here she is, more the type to be the nanny than to always have a nanny. And the house, the car, no job. I wondered if the ex was in the drug trade, but finally she trusted me, told me a little. She said Julie’s father was a soldier, came from wealthy Cuban family……but still. You know what I’m saying?

“We decided to marry when Julie was about 2 years old. We come from the same backgrounds, she’s part Cuban, part Puerto Rican, I’m Puerto Rican and Italian.

“And one day not long before the wedding I came over here after work and I found the ex-husband visiting her and Julie. This very young guy in Army fatigues. I’d never met him before because he’d been deployed overseas. And I quickly realized that the guy was here to check me out.”

Pause.

“I have to admit, I was scared shitless. The ex was covert Special Forces of some sort, not just Army Rangers. He had---has---this aura of danger. But I could tell Julie loved him. And, well, Rachel too. That part was hard to take. I’m as Latino macho as the next guy and I wasn’t thrilled to be the guy she just settled for. Because I could tell Carlos had no interest in her, he only came to see Julie, to make sure I’d treat Julie right.

“He—Carlos---was the one to suggest the adoption. He wanted his baby to have a family, a real daddy. And that was something he’d never be able to do, being that he was the soldier and all. I think it broke his heart to give her up, I could see how much he loved his little girl. And she was the most adorable, beautiful baby, well, toddler by then. She looked exactly like him, too, still does. Has his looks and intelligence and courage….

“And so I married Rachel, we have a great marriage---I even understand that he’ll always have a tiny bit of her heart. And I adopted Julie, I consider her my child.

“So back to your original question….yeah I know, you didn't really ask it, but I know what you're thinking. I—we, Rachel and I---accept the money, the favors, for us and for our kids…not because I couldn’t provide a decent life for my family. But for Carlos, it’s how he shows his love, it’s how he is. He takes care of people, he provides for people. We accept what he gives us so that he will always know he is loved too. We need him to feel that we’re his family, that we love him and accept him. And that means accepting his gifts and his protection and his money, because he thinks that is all he has to give us.

“It isn’t easy being Ranger. I imagine his life is hard. And lonely. I’m sure he expected to die young, he said once that he was amazed when he turned thirty….

“But, yeah, that’s how he is----he takes care of us and that’s why he’s a soldier, always doing whatever he can to make the world a safer, better place.”

The SAC said, “You say it in the present tense, as if he is still a Special Ops soldier. My understanding is that he is retired from the military?”

Ron scoffed. “Do you think the Army spent all that money and effort, training him to be the best there is and then just, poof---let him go? He’s too young to be out of it, I don’t care what he says.”

The SAC said, “So he is still ….?”

Ron caught himself at that point and said, “I guess I know better than to discuss Ranger Manoso. You want to know, you ask him.  Excuse me, Rachel needs me.”

The SAC thought carefully about what he’d learned. It was similar to what Ranger’s man Santos had intimated. But Santos was more discreet, more careful. He wasn’t about to discuss his boss. Either.

…………………………..

Ranger looked at his cell phone, then listened to the voice mail messages. Tank. Then Stephanie, again.

Her soft voice conveyed confusion and concern. She said “If you’re looking for the Un-Ranger, you might want to know that he is here in Jersey and killed your wife in front of the bonds office last night.”

He went in the house and told the SAC that he was leaving for Jersey immediately.

Rachel stopped Ranger as he headed out the door. She grabbed his arm, then when he turned, dropped her hand as if scalded by his force field.

He did the head tilt thing.

?

Rachel said, “Ranger! I’m….I’m so sorry!”

?

“I’m so sorry for what I said before, please forgive me……”

 “Not important.”

“It is important! I don’t hate you, I could never hate you! I was just so upset. I never meant to hurt you.”

“Let it go.”

“I don’t want you to think I hate you or blame you  'cause you’re beautiful.”

Ranger looked at her a few beats too long. Then he said, “I feel like we’re in a shampoo commercial, chica.”

“What?”

“Nevermind. Let it go, Rachel. Really.”

She narrowed her eyes at him.

 “Was that a joke?”

“Of course not.”

Finally Rachel smiled, just a little, his aura of safety and invincibility surrounding her and calming her. She said, “You know what’s worse than Julie inheriting your looks?”

?

“She has your intelligence too---she’s gonna be a force of nature in a few years.”

Ranger did the almost smile and said, “I’ll  bring her back safely, Rachel.’’

“I know you will, Carlos.”

And he was gone.

She said softly to the departing black SUV, “Be careful. I love you.”

But of course he never heard her.

...........

Part Two - Saving Julie

Chapter Three

a week later, Trenton NJ

Anthony

We stood in the parking lot in the dark. Cops, Feebs, Rangeman, Morelli. Me and Nick and Jilly and Tank and Ranger.

Jilly had her hair up in her SWAT baseball hat and she wore a SWAT flak jacket, trying to pass for a tall slim guy. My sister looks like a younger, more beautiful Heidi Klum so you picture how well this worked. On the other hand Morelli was like totally transfixed so she served a real purpose. I hoped she didn't  shoot him…or maybe not.  Nick was dressed similarly except he only had the  T-shirt; he was hanging in the far shadows, hoping no one, especially crazy Scrog, took him for Ranger. We couldn't begin to imagine how the crazed kidnapper might react to the idea of not one, but two "Rangers". And we hoped we'd never find out.

 I stood there with Tank, right in front, running interference for Ranger. I didn’t give a shit who recognized me. Not my problem.

Tank and I practiced sending intimidation vibes. It shielded Ranger and kept us from bursting into unmanly tears of rage and fear.

Ranger was stoic as always, just another day in the life.

---

I had gotten the call eight days ago. My current PA buzzed my intercom and said in her lovely British by way of Georgetown CI English, "Mr. Stewart, the FBI is on line one. A Special Agent in Charge Henderson."

I liked her voice but I had not yet convinced her that she shouldn't call me Mr. Stewart.

I said, ''Bummer,'' then, ''Put him through.''

Henderson wasn't really FBI of course. Or, well, he was---but he wasn’t. He is...but he isn't? If you know what I'm saying.

I picked up my secure office line and said, ''I told you never to call me at work, honey.''

Brief silence then Henderson said, ''Do you have a TV where you are? Turn on CNN.''

I have to admit my stomach clenched a little and my eyes tracked first to the empty skyline across Wall St, where the Towers once stood. No smoke, no----terror---.

I flipped on CNN and came face to face with omigod a censored but recognizable photo of Ranger. In a full military uniform, looking very young. Old picture. Then—amber alert….?

I said, ''What the fuck?''

Henderson said in my ear, ''Ranger was in Miami on a solo job for ---ummmm---and some lowlife kidnapped his daughter. Who the fuck knew Ranger has a daughter? The guy is a psycho, he wants to take over Ranger’s life. Be a hotshot bounty hunter. He wants to be Ranger!"

I said, ''Many have tried, none have succeeded.''

''This is serious, man. He has the little girl. We didn't know she exists, we didn't protect her! And now we think he’ll go after Carlos and Carlos’s girlfriend, Ms Plum. We----the FBI---really! don’t laugh----are letting the media think Ranger is the kidnapper. To lure this guy out. That's why the APB and arrest warrants are out on Carlos.''

I didn't say How is this possible, how can this happen. Pointless. No matter how hard you try, you can’t control the crazies. And Julie’s mother loved Ranger's money but hated the precautions that were needed. So Julie had no regular bodyguards, just some Rangeman undercovers who shadowed her at a distance. Rachel had threatened to get a restraining order if she found out Ranger so much as put a loose protective tail on the child.

I said, ''I gotta go to Ranger, where is he? What if some asshole citizen decides to shoot him? I gotta go, talk to you later…''

''No! Wait!''

''What?''

"This guy wants to be Ranger Manoso, the Trenton NJ bounty hunter. Get it?''

''Oh.''

''Yeah.''

?

''You gotta stay out of it, Nick too. If you all get into the media all your covers will be blown, Carlos’s too. He asked me to call you, he wants you out of this.''

''Uh huh.''

''Okay?''

''Sure, Chris. I understand.''

I hung up. I sat down at my desk and put my face in my hands. I wanted to scream or cry or something.

……..

After awhile I cleared my head and sought out Ranger’s mind. He was on a plane, he was coping. He was---just vestiges seeped through---desperately afraid for Julie and Steph.

He felt my presence and sent his warm calm aura.

I ESPed, Faker.

He smiled.

I said, I love you, he said, Me too. Then,

 Call Morelli.

I thought, Okay, uh why?

Just do it.

If the bad guys ever figure out how to tap into our mental network, we're in deep shit.

……

Now here we all stood. There'd been a briefing, we all knew our jobs.

The fucking plan.

Ranger divested himself of his weapons and unbuttoned his shirt. The streetlights flowed golden over his defined chest muscles, flashed on his ear studs. Good thing the cops had kept the media away or they'd be going nuts with the flashbulbs.

Shirtless Ranger in living color on the cover of Star magazine...not, like, appropriate, dude.

Tank stood behind him and used a roll of packing tape to secure a small Glock to the center of Ranger's back, in the hollow of his spine. Ranger twisted an arm around and back---yes, he could just reach the grip. The parking tape would release easily, and the gun would hopefully remain hidden until Ranger needed it. He gave a curt nod, shrugged on a black wifebeater and then his heavy duty body armor. The kind with extra Kevlar and a steel plate over the heart.

 Useless if some asshole shot you in the head.

Ranger slipped into a loose button front SWAT fatigue shirt, it was big enough to fit over the body armor. He buttoned it calmly, rolled up the sleeves and turned to Tank who said, ''Please don’t do this, Ranger, there has to be another way.''

I turned aside and slipped my own flak vest on over my t-shirt. The vest said FBI on front and back in big yellow glow in the dark letters. Morelli was eyeing me in amazement---what, he thinks I don’t deserve an FBI vest? Fuckin' idiot. I checked my guns and my rifle; earlier I took off the long range computer assisted scope, setting it on the seat of Ranger’s SUV. If I got a shot I wouldn't need the long range scope.

Ranger and Tank hugged. Ranger said, ''Keep the faith.''

Tank looked like he might cry.

Then Ranger turned and looked at his guys, all the ranks of silent, black uniformed mercenaries who worked for him, who followed him, who loved him. Any one of whom would die for him tonight if he'd let them go in his stead.

But of course, not an option.

Ranger met each guy’s eyes briefly, then he did his tiny blank faced nod and turned to me.

Morelli stepped between us.

''Ranger, you're crazy, we can get a hostage rescue team here in another hour.''

We are the federal hostage rescue team, idiot!

Ranger said, ''No.'' And stepped past him to me. We locked eyes.

He said, Be happy. Take care of my girls. And… His chin tilt indicating Tank and his men.

I said in words but very softly, ''I love you, man.''

I love you too, hermano.

We hugged tight which is ridiculous in heavy Kevlar. But I sensed his aura, and his determination and his focus. The calm. The Ranger-ness. The faint scent of Bulgari even in this tense moment, no stink of sweat and fear from this man.

We held each other for a long moment, the hell with our audience. Stepped apart, bumped fists.

''Keep the faith.''

''Yeah.''

Jilly stepped up beside me and Ranger leaned in and kissed her fast and hard. Then he hugged Nick, no visible moment passing between the two of them. Nick has kids, he knows the score.

Jilly said, ''We got your back.'' And she leaned into my shoulder, showing Ranger she'd watch over me if he---well, whatever. Then Ranger headed towards the stairwell, followed by Tank, Morelli and the local feds.

I went up the fire escape.

It was all over except the shooting. By the time I busted through the bedroom window, Scrog had shot Ranger and Julie had shot and killed Scrog. Wow. I'm impressed, little girl.

She glanced around the room, even in the midst of chaos, as if she heard my thoughts. Her dark eyes found mine and I smiled at her.

I had never met Ranger’s daughter. She looked exactly like Ranger, look at that hair, those eyes…..

They were working on Ranger and Steph and Julie. I heard the EMT say that the neck wound was the cause of all the bleeding, but probably was not fatal. My beloved brother would live. Steph had hysterics, ushered out by Morelli. Julie ran out alongside the stretcher with Ranger. I faded away into the darkness, headed for the ER.

...................

Chapter Four

Stephanie

We all sat down in the waiting room on the hard ugly orange chairs. Tank, then Julie, then me, Morelli on my other side.

Julie looked exhausted. I guessed I must look almost as bad. Tank and Morelli looked---nothing. The room was full of Rangeman guys in their black uniforms, Trenton cops, FBI, who knows who else. The nurse had a list and were starting to take guys for blood donations.

Tank said, ''We keep a list of who has the closest matches, just in case.''

Julie said, ''That's my cousin Lester, isn't it?" She pointed across the crowded room. "He looks like Ranger?''

The nurse had called Lester Santos’s name and he was smiling and flirting with her, answering the questions on her clipboard.

Tank hesitated and then said, ''Right.''

I looked at Santos. ''Really?''

Julie saw the resemblance that I had always missed even though I’d known Lester for a couple years. I didn't see other men when Ranger was around, I guess. Lester was Ranger’s height and build, similar coloring and had the gorgeous Ranger smile.

Tank asked Julie, "Do you want to speak to Les? He's family?"

"No." She shivered.

I shuddered too, in sympathy. Too many bad feelings with Ranger look-alikes at this point.

I was distracted by the arrival of my high school friend Suzy Delvecchio and another woman who appeared to be a social worker. Suzy was an ER nurse now. She gently touched my arm, got my attention and said, ''Steph, I'm glad you and Julie are okay.''

''Uh huh.''

''This is Ms Bonner from CPS. We think perhaps Julie should be checked out by a doctor. She had been through a lot. Maybe you too---all those stun gun attacks.''

Julie cringed and drew herself into Tank's side.

I said, ''I have no authority to okay anything about Julie. Her mother will be here soon and I suggest you just back off. Tank?''

Tank said, ''That's correct.''

The CPS woman said, ''Well I'm thinking maybe Julie would like to go in back where it's quieter and less chaotic and maybe get cleaned up, have some food. No big deal, no pressure, no doctors!''

Tank considered this. He looked at Julie and he said, ''Baby, you know that's a good idea, I want to be able to tell your mom and dad and Ranger that I took real good care of you. Would that be okay? We’re gonna be here anyway waiting to see how the boss is….''

Julie stared him down. Tank waited respectfully for her decision. I think he has years of experience manipulating Ranger and was using all his talents on the little girl.

I said, ''You know what else, Julie, my sister has a daughter just your age and I was thinking she can come by with some clean clothes for you and for me too. I think we both don't smell so great! What do you think?"

Her little soft voice said, "Okay."

When I first met Julie---just a couple days ago!--- I thought her soft voice was that of a frightened child but I was revising it to be a version of her father’s quiet  voice---velvet whisper over a will of iron. 

She said, "Do you think I could get something to eat, I'm so hungry. Chuck didn't bring me much food, just candy bars."

''Oh, baby!'' Tank and I were horrified.

I said, ''Sure! Pizza? Cluck-in-a-Bucket?''

''Could I have MacDonald’s please?''

''Absolutely,'' promised Tank.

"I'll call Val and arrange some clothes and Tank will send someone for food.''

I stepped away and dialed my sister Valerie. She said immediately, ''I'll get some things together right away, Steph. For you too---I'm fat but you'll be okay in my sweats, right?''

''Sure.''

''I'll be at the hospital as soon as possible.''

''No need, you have the kids. One of Ranger’s guys will pick up the stuff."

Valerie hung up and I nodded to Tank. He summoned a guy with brief eye contact. I realized it was Zero from the other night.

He came over and said to Julie, ''Hey, chica.''

''Hey.''

''My name is Zero. I have a little girl about your age.''

''Oh.''

''Do you need some clothes and stuff, I can go by my house and get some things for you, m'hijo?"

I explained about Valerie and that she was already arranging clothes for Julie. I started to tell Zero Val's address but he cut me off.

''I know where your family live, Ms Plum, it's my job.''

It is?

He summoned Hal and they left.

We were escorted to a treatment room in the back of the ER. The pretty night nurse spoke kindly to Julie, showing her the bathroom and the heat-up washcloths.

Valerie soon appeared with a tote bag.

''I didn't expect you to come!''

''I wanted to, you know, in case either of you need me," said my sister.

''Who's with the kids? Albert? Is that okay?''

''Yes but the other Rangeman guy stayed too—the large young dinosaur-ish man, Hal? They are very protective, aren't they?''

I shrugged.

We entered the room where Julie was sitting on a bedlike gurney.

Val said, ''Hi, I'm Steph’s sister Valerie. Nice to meet you, Julie. Omigod, you're beautiful, you look just like your father, don't you?''

Silence from all of us.

''Okay, sorry. Anyway I brought you shorts and a t-shirt and sweats and flip flops and  a pair of Mary Alice's sneakers because Zero says you have no shoes. We stopped at the all-night CVS and got you some new socks and underpants because I figured you might think it was really not cool to wear MA's panties and we got you a hair brush and new scrunchies. So---here you go.'' She proffered the bag.

Julie said thank you and took the bag into the bathroom.

''Call us if you need any help. Okay?"

''Okay. I'll be fine though."

Val said, ''Is she really okay?"

I said, ''I think so.''

''Any word on Ranger?''

''No but we think it's..., we hope….''

''Oh, honey, don't cry. These clothes are for you. Go in the next room and change and wash up. You don't smell too good.''

''I threw up.''

''Yeah I can tell.''

When I returned, Valerie was brushing Julie's snarled hair and Julie was happily scaring down a Big Mac.

''Me too?''

''Yeah, there plenty," said Val.  ''Tank?''

"Thanks."

Geez, I never thought I'd see Tank eat a Big Mac

Julie looked at me with her Ranger eyes and said, ''Stephanie?''

''Yeah?''

''Did you find my backpack in the camper?''

''Yes we did.''

''Chuck made me leave it behind this afternoon.''

''I think the police took it as evidence, honey. Your journal has all your entries about your….''

''Kidnapping.''

''Yes. I can ask Joe to get you a copy, maybe, if you want.''

"That's good. But….''

''What?''

''Well in my backpack when Chuck took me I had a cell phone---a new pink iPhone! And it got lost or he threw it away. And I had this key fob gizmo thingy that got lost too. Um---Ranger gave them to me with the backpack for my birthday---and now I've LOST THEM!''

Her eyes were filling with tears.

I bit my lip. I sure hoped she doesn't cry.

Val said, ''You had a pink iPhone! Cool.''

I was thinking, Okay, this sounds like the Ranger I know and love. He had provided Julie with a cell phone and GPS fob, of course he had. I was so relieved for some reason.

I said, ''Did your mom know you had them?''

''Of course. She said the iPhone is a big girl phone. And I better not lose it. But now they are gone! Will---Ranger---be mad ‘cause I lost  them?''

''Oh honey! Of course not! It wasn't your fault Scrog took you or that he tossed your phone. I'm sure it was GPS enabled, he had to throw it out. Don't worry.''

''But…..''

''Anyway Ranger never gets mad about things like that.''

''No?''

I wondered, Was Ranger a somewhat scary figure in this child's life? Her real dad, so young and handsome but stern and serious and strange to her. She did say she didn't know him well, but  he'd be unhappy if he thought she was scared of him. Not to mention he would be very displeased to think she was upset about a cell phone!

Tank made eye contact with me and my ESP finally kicked in enough that I knew he too was thinking about how Ranger would feel.

I told Julie, "Hey I blew up a brand new Porsche that Ranger gave me! And the next day I let someone steal the Beemer he gave me to replace the Porsche! And guess what? He wasn't mad at all, he was really nice and he was just concerned about me, not the car. That's when I knew for sure he was a real superhero!''

Val and Julie exchanged eye rolls and I bet Tank was doing the same behind my back.

I said, ''Probably Tank can replace your phone before you leave for Florida, right, Tank?"

''No problem.''

''The backpack was Kate Spade.''

Val said, ''Really?''

''Yes. Pink. Plaid."

Tank coughed.

We were interrupted by the entrance of a buff young man who introduced himself as the on-call pediatrician. He charmed Julie into letting him do her vital signs and he pronounced her fit, maybe a bit dehydrated.

He took me and Tank aside (Does he think we are her parents? I wondered hysterically) and told us, "Get her to drink the Gatorade. Make sure she sees her father so that she knows he is okay."

"So---is he?" I asked.

"Yes. He will be out of surgery in another half hour, probably. Word is that he is doing well. They are working on his shoulder. The child shows no signs of shock at this point but if she shot that man tonight she may need some counseling.''

Tank said, ''I will tell her mother to speak with you when she arrives.''

Tank went back to his chair and I went to Julie. Val hugged Julie and said goodbye. We walked together to the exit.

''Thanks, Val. You did good, you're a great mom.''

''I'm glad I could help. I'll be praying for her and Ranger. Steph?''

''Yeah?''

''How does that work? She was adopted by her stepdad but Ranger still sends child support?  And expensive presents? And visits?  That's unusual. I can't imagine..."

''Jeez, Val. I don't know and I can't imagine asking Ranger! He is very honorable, he would never shirk his duty to his child, I do know that.''

''I know, I just---well, Steve took everything that my girls and I had. Only Lisa is Albert’s child, it's all so hard sometimes. And then I see a guy like Ranger….or even his man Zero---he said he supports his kids even though he's divorced too.''

''Um.''

''We didn't do so good with our guys from the Burg, did we?''

''I guess not, Val, but I'm too tired to think about it right now.''

''You love Ranger, don't you.''

''Of course. How could I not love him, he's my hero.''

We smiled, maybe a bit tearfully and Val left with Zero into the hot summer night. Home to Albert?

 tbc

PART 2

[remember this is au to my usual MR arc/ story line and at time contradicts, in small ways the story line of Shrink Wrapped. You guys figure it out, oaky?)

Chapter Five

still Stephanie

After awhile the hospital moved us all to the surgical waiting room. The Rangeman contingent was clogging the ER waiting room beyond its capacity, and the guys in black were scaring the regular sick people. An endless wait, then the doctor came and told us that Ranger was going to be okay. The surgeon stood there in his green scrubs and spoke about Ranger’s injuries. He had Ranger’s blood all over him. My vision blurred and the floor heaved. I felt a strong hand at the back of my neck, pushing my face between my knees. Someone, Morelli, was saying that maybe I should be admitted, that I had sustained trauma too. Tank’s deep voice replied but I couldn't focus.

Voices got louder, a small scuffle ensued. Lester got up and drew Joe away to talk to him, calmed him down. Both Lester and Tank had been impressive tonight, tough and commanding, taking over for Ranger, holding the fort. Lester is often funny and silly and light-hearted. He is very good-looking, a real ladies' man, a heartbreaker. But tonight he was all business, watching Ranger and Tank’s back. Bobby Brown was back at Rangeman, I knew, doing the same. None of Ranger’s guys would let him down, even if he was not here to command them. Especially when he was not here to be the boss.

My vision cleared at bit and I sensed another person’s presence. I looked up at an unfamiliar man, young, hot, blond. Wearing black SWATs, his somewhat ratty T-shirt emblazoned with a big yellow FBI front and back.

Tank said, ''Yo.''

Mini-nod from the guy. He glanced at me, cold black eyes in a handsome rather Latino face. Odd with the fair hair. And since when do FBI agents have dreadlocks and diamond gangbanger earrings?

The young man said, ''When Ranger wakes up he'll want to see you, Tank, and Julie and—uh—Stephanie? He was asking about a Stephanie before they took him into surgery.''

''I’m Stephanie.''

He said, ''Yeah.'' Unimpressed.

Fed asshole, I thought.

............................

Julie was asleep when the nurse came to tell us Ranger was awake. We could see him in a couple hours when he was moved to ICU.

A different doctor, an orthopedic surgeon appeared at some point. He told us, ''He should be fine. He will be in a lot of discomfort from the shattered rib. We will medicate for that. He will need physical therapy on his shoulder, but Mr. Manoso is in superb condition and will no doubt heal quickly and completely. There was no nerve damage, which was a concern since Mr. Manoso has a ----physically strenuous, shall we say, profession.''

The doctor looked slightly disapproving.

What? Don't like bounty hunter-security hotshots? I though. Too bad.

..................

Chapter Six

In the hospital-Julie POV

The nurse said I could go into the intensive care place and see my daddy but they warned me he was what they called asleep? They meant unconscious, I guess, or sedated. Everyone thinks I'm a stupid baby, just cos Chuck grabbed me. I admit I didn't see him coming---but neither did my Rangeman boys across the street. I was walking home from the school bus, a grey van was parked there on the street. The door slid open and this man jumped out right next to me and Carrie and Taylor, and he just...picked me up and stuck this smelly cloth on my face and that is all I remember til I woke up puking and had a chain on my leg.

It wasn't my fault! Really.

Anyways. Tank and Stephanie were with me and we walked up to the glass room. I could see Ranger lying on his back under a white sheet and blankets. He looked very---um---still. Usually he is in motion or thinking or something. But the machines were beeping and flashing so I figured he was okay.

A nurse stepped in front of us before we could go into the room. She said, ''Only one visitor at a time."

Steph said, ''Yeah like we're gonna let Julie go in all by herself, get real, Annette.''

The nurse smiled and said, ''Okay, one adult and Julie.''

Steph bit her lip, looked at Tank. "You go. I can wait."

Tank said, ''I’ll sit with Julie, you go get some coffee or something, Steph.''

I nodded and Steph left.

Tank and I walked in. I touched Ranger’s hand. It was warm. I was surprised.

I leaned down and kissed his cheek, saying in my head, I love you daddy, get better.

Tank motioned to the orange plastic chairs and we sat down. Tank is like a rock or a lizard. He just sits. I sat too, checking out the machines. I was falling asleep when I heard a man speaking to the nurse. His voice was very quiet but determined. Oddly he sounded just like my daddy---uh, Ranger.

Tank got up and walked out. The other man came in.

I guess he was a man---an older boy? This person was young and tall and muscular and blond and beautiful. He had pale blond hair in dreadlocks and rather dark skin, like mine. He was very handsome. He looked exactly like Ranger.

That was a little creepy after Chuck doing the Ranger imitation thing, but this guy seemed different. Maybe scary but not Chuck-scary.

I don’t think he saw me and I sat real still watching him.

He walked to Ranger’s side and stared down at him. No expression.

He reached out and touched Ranger’s wrist, then ran his knuckles down Ranger’s cheek. Sort of a, I don’t know, like a mom kinda gesture. Loving? Caring? Worried?

I felt his thoughts then and despite his neutral face I knew he was desperately upset. He said, in his mind, silently, to Ranger: You gotta be okay, man, I need you. I love you. You gotta get better, it’ll be okay. And I felt these very strong feelings, like warmth and light and safe. And even though they were being sent to my daddy I felt that way too.

I guess I made some sound because the guy looked at me.

When he turned in the dim room and was face to face with me I realized that I had seen him before. I had forgotten. But he was in Steph’s apartment earlier. Right after I shot Chuck. He had sent me the message that I did a good job, shooting Chuck.

The man came over and sat where Tank had been. He said, "My name is Anthony. I guess, I’m, like, your uncle. Carlito is my brother."

He held out his hand and when I put my hand in his, he didn't shake, he just held my hand, looking into my eyes.

His eyes were just like Ranger’s eyes. Just like mine too. I could feel his thoughts---he thought I was so brave and beautiful and looked like my daddy, he was sad that I was so big and he never met me before, he was so proud of me for doing what was necessary, for killing Scrog and saving me and Steph and Daddy.

He let go of my hand and opened his arms to me, wrapping me in a warm hug, lifting me up and then sitting with me on his lap. Usually I’m too grown up to sit on laps but he made me feel safe for the first time since---well---you know. I laid my head on Anthony's chest and he held me tight.

After awhile he said in words, ''Can you hear me when I speak to Ranger in my mind?"

And I nodded.

He said, ''Is it okay, not scared, are you?"

"No."

He touched my face and looked into my eyes. He was so close that I could see his straight nose and high cheekbones covered with satiny brown skin with just a little blond stubble showing on his jaw line, and his long eyelashes that were black but had blond ends, and his mouth with the lower lip like mine and daddy’s, mom says it is just made for pouting. But when Steph had looked at me she said, in her thoughts, made for kissing (I assume she meant Ranger’s version!), which I thought seemed sooooo much nicer. Because, you know—I like never pout.

And Steph had thought, hard eyes and soft mouth….Anthony’s eyes flashed, he had caught my thought, though he looked slightly confused.

He said, ''Can you feel other people's thoughts, chica?"

Nod.

I said, ''But, you know, I don't listen, I shut them out. I only listen if someone is sending me a thought, that's all. Except sometimes." Like when he spoke to Ranger before. It was complicated. I couldn't really explain, just stared at him. I tried not to cry.

He gave me a little hug and said, " 'S'okay, baby. I get it."

I said in his mind, Are you able to talk to everyone in your mind like this?

?

He said back at me, No only Ranger usually. The rest I block out, like you do. They can't hear me and I don't want to know their thoughts, baby. Trust me.

I said back to his mind, I do, yeah. Trust you, I mean. And he did the warm/ safe thing and I fell asleep in his arms.

Even though his guns were sorta digging into my sides.

................................

Chapter Seven

Stephanie

Much later I went out to the ICU waiting room to find Joe. Lester had kept Joe in check without getting arrested or shot. I was impressed. Now Morelli was looking at me with bloodshot sad brown eyes.

I said, "You shouldn't wait, Joe, there’s no need.''

''No, there isn't, is there?''

Uh oh, he was mad. Why?

''What?''

''Tonight—last night, whatever—you finally said you love me, Cupcake. And I am so fucking stupid that I was pleased, I was so happy, despite all that had happened. But I’ve sat here for the past, what---8 hours—and I had time to think about it all. Yeah you love me, but hey, you love Eddie and Carl and probably Lester and Tank and god knows who else! But you don’t LOVE me. You love Manoso.''

I’d kill for you, I’ll die for you. Not price for what we give each other, not ever. The truth is, I love you, babe….Yeah, but I love you anyway. I’m not emotionally distanced from you. No price, not ever. And---the thousands of times---Are you okay? Mercenary speak for I love you.

I looked at Joe. He is a good man, a good friend, he doesn't deserve to be hurt. Or lied to.

I said, ''Yes, Joe. That's right, you are absolutely right. I won't even say I am sorry because I can’t apologize for loving Ranger, he is---'' I made a helpless hand gesture, unable to find words to describe what Ranger means to me.

''Yeah, yeah, he’s your knight in fucking shining armor, Steph. I got it, okay?''

I smiled. ''Well, in Kevlar, maybe.''

Joe hugged me. ''Be happy, Steph. Call me if you need me, I will always be here for you, we're friends, okay? Remember that.".

''Thanks, Joe. Goodnight.'' Goodbye.

And he was gone. Forever.

The blond guy from earlier said, ''Very touching, not a dry eye in the fuckin’ house.''

I turned. ''Eavesdropping, asshole? What is your problem? And who are you, anyway?''

He smiled then and my heart stuttered in my chest. Omigod, he is so beautiful, the face, the eyes, the body, the---aura. He looks so much like Ranger……

The guy nodded.

''Yeah. But it's a secret.''

''You guys and your secrets, geez. Look where it got us!''

''Don’t blame this clusterfuck on me, this time I'm innocent.''

''But not usually?''

''Well maybe not always. I'm Anthony Stewart, babe.''

''Should I know who you are?''

''No, I’m like Top Secret. Need to know, lethal weapon. I'm like, you know <whisper> black ops?"

The smile.

Long night.

.. ... ...

Chapter Eight

still Stephanie

I walked into the ICU. It was cool and dim and the machines were working but silent. Ranger had IV s in both arms, oxygen in his nose, a sling strapping his heavily bandaged shoulder to his body, a gauze pad on his neck, and a huge layer of bandages around his chest. His eyes were closed, his face peaceful. He was alive. He was okay. He looked wonderful. I touched his left hand, surprised that it was warm as ever.

''Babe?''

''Hey.''

''What happened?''

''Julie saved you! She shot Scrog!''

''No shit?''

''No shit.''

''Is he dead?''

"Yes."

"Is Julie okay?

''Yes. She was here with you earlier....She's fine, she is ---beautiful, Ranger.''

''Yes. Are you okay, babe?"

''I am now.''

''Can I see Julie?''

''Sure but she fell asleep, she was exhausted. Maybe in the morning?''

''Her mom will take her right home. Please….''

''Hmmm. Fine. Be right back.''

Tank and I woke Julie and explained that Ranger wanted to see her and be sure she was all right. She nodded and got right up, this child had some backbone

Julie was a wonder to me. She never faltered or hesitated, walked calmly into the ICU room and stood by Ranger. It was so late no vigilant nurses stopped me and Tank from following her. We stood by Ranger's bed.

Julie and Ranger locked eyes.

Ranger said, ''You saved my life.''

''Yes.''

''Thank you.''

''You're welcome.''

She held his hand and they smiled their secret tiny smiles into each other's eyes. Mirror image faces, so very dear and so beautiful.

Julie said, ''Chuck, the bad guy, he threw away my pink iPhone phone.''

Tank took a deep breath.

Ranger looked at her carefully, as if he were trying to figure out where she was coming from. I was sure he had no clue that she'd be upset about the stupid phone but he was trying hard, fighting his way through the fog of pain and drugs and anesthesia. Thank god for his ESP skills.

He said, ''Things are not important, baby, only people. I can replace your phone, I can't replace you. I love you, Julie.''

''Oh. Okay.''

They smiled again.

Finally Julie leaned over and in a whisper louder than her usual speaking voice said, ''Do you know Stephanie loves you?''

?

''She does!''

I felt my face getting red. Ranger said nothing, kept his eyes locked on Julie.

''When will I see you, Ranger?''

''Soon, chica. Goodnight.''

Julie leaned over and kissed his cheek.

''I love you, daddy. Goodnight.''

Oh god, she called him daddy.

Julie, unmindful, had turned and padded out of the room.

Ranger said, ''Tank? Phone?''

''Taken care of already, boss.''

Tank followed Julie from the ICU.

''Babe?''

''Yes?''

''She called me daddy.''

''Yeah. Go to sleep, Ranger. I will be here if you need anything."

His eyes were full of pain. From his injuries or from his life? I took his hand in mine and kissed him softly. His eyes drifted shut and he slowly relaxed, maybe slept.

I whispered, ''I love you, Ranger.''

He said in his regular voice, just like an adult male version of Julie’s voice, ''I love you too, Steph.''

the end