Ranger

I sat at my desk; pen in hand, staring out the window at the rest of the world. It mocked me. The sky was an iridescent blue, sun shining down on happy couples lining the streets and filling the parks. While I sat apart, an outsider, looking in on the happy scene.

Her blue eyes stared at me as if they were right in front of me, their last expression of hurt and rejection still etched into them. And I had caused it. I thought of my own rules, my expectations and goals. Was it all ridiculous? Was I operating under unreasonable rules? Was I too disciplined? Her eyes changed in my mind to stare back at me, shock and hurt pooling behind them. And then she was gone. It was two weeks later and no word. The question was, Had I done the right thing for Carlos? Or Ranger?

0 0 0

Steph

I took a deep breath, turned around and walked away, leaving Morelli standing alone next to his car, his arm still outstretched to me.

I drove the car to Rangeman in preoccupied silence, thinking of how much this was going to change everything. The night was warm and quiet, the streets deserted.

Within ten minutes I was knocking on Ranger’s seventh floor Apartment door. After a few seconds it opened to a damp haired ranger, dressed in only a pair of black cargo pants.

“Hey.” His eyes were questioning, but calm, just accepting that I was here.

“I… I wanted to talk to you.”

He nodded, sensing the seriousness of the visit and opened the door to let me pass. I walked into his apartment, immediately catching his damp scent as I passed him. I stopped as I reached the large kitchen, feeling slightly lost and vulnerable. I felt his presence behind me, and his hand gently turned me to face him.

“Babe, what’s up?”

His eyes were for once showing his emotion, curiosity and slight concern apparent. He pulled me close and I relaxed into him, allowing him to take some of my discomfort and anxiety. I took a deep breath and spoke into his strong neck.

“Ranger…”

I paused for a second, and I felt his arms squeeze me slightly, comforting and strong. Was I doing the right thing? My heart was saying yes … but my head wasn’t sure. But I had left Morelli to do this, so I had to try. I had to ask.

“Ranger, I left Morelli for good this time and I … I wondered if you…”

“Oh Babe…”

He tipped my head back so he could see my face. His face was full of longing and pain... regret? His eyes were dark with sorrow. I knew the answer before he said it. I sagged in his arms, pulling away from him. He looked hurt; his eyes full of longing for something it seemed he denied himself. He started to speak.

“You have to know why-“

But tears were spilling from my eyes and I turned from him, feeling nothing but pain.

0 0 0

Ranger

She was looking forlorn and alone in the middle of the huge kitchen so I gently turned her to face me and pulled her to my chest. She let go of the tension and relaxed into me, her hand on my shoulder. I pulled her close and whispered into her ear.

“Babe, what’s wrong?”

Something was wrong. Never before had she looked like this, like a small child lost in a large crowd. She took a deep breath and spoke.

“Ranger… Ranger I left Morelli for good this time and I … I wondered if you…”

My heart constricted.

“Oh Babe…” was all I could manage. I knew what I had to say would hurt her beyond belief. How could she do this? I answered myself. Because I showed her I loved her. And I had. Over and over again, even though she may not have realised each time, I had. That was my mistake. And I blamed no one but myself. She seemed to have gathered my answer from my words because tears began trickling down her cheeks, rejection in her eyes, She sniffed, but made no effort to stem the flow of tears gently dripping onto my neck. It was as though each perfect tear was a hope she had had for a future with me. And each one was breaking before her eyes. I tipped her head back, staring into her eyes,

“You have to know why-“

But she just quietly shook her head; the hurt painted all over her face. Then she turned away from me, and walked out the door.