Chapter 17: I have plans, too
A/N: Because this chapter is all over the place, time-wise, brownc0at thinks I should inform you that it’s late Friday morning. Don’t want anyone to be confused.
Steph’s POV
The past week has been hell.
On Tuesday, I met with each XO for an hour. My meeting with Mark was awkward; the meeting with Armando had my spidey senses tingling. My best meetings were with Trenton Core, Danny and Javier. Hal really had thought about how to streamline processes and I couldn’t wait for our Monday meeting to discuss how he wanted to accomplish it.
While I was meeting with the other XOs, he, Manny and Ram had gotten together to discuss their goals for the branch. Since they had no intentions of keeping secrets from each other, they wanted to meet as a group. Their ideas are really good, centering on Private Investigations and Client Services. They also said they would like to hire a few female employees and want my opinion on what the hiring process for women should be.
“You guys want to hire RangeWomen?” I was a little surprised.
“Yeah. Working with you for four years has illustrated that female employees can be very effective in the field,” Ram said. I felt a breeze. “Unless the skip is gay, there’s no way we can get them to follow us anywhere. Depending on the neighborhood, you walking with a RangeMan decreases suspicion on us, allowing us to more effectively survey an area. And female intel networks–“
cough. “Gossip.” cough. Manny needs to do something about that cough. Ram and Hal smiled. I glared at Manny.
“As I was saying, female intel networks are extremely effective. You ladies know someone everywhere, and if you don’t know, you know someone who knows someone. It’s an untapped network. We need a foothold there.”
OK, they’re making sense, but I’ve liked being the only female employee at RangeMan Trenton. Plus, I love the guys but I’ve heard the way they talk when they think there are no women around. We’d need a sexual harassment policy if we don’t already have one. How would it affect the office to add women to the mix? There’s real camaraderie here among the guys. I write that down as an idea to consider later.
Ranger left on Wednesday morning, but not before we locked ourselves on 7 for 2 nights of marathon sex. At the end of it, my poor doodah was tempted to put in for hazard pay but my brain told it to shut up. We were stacking this away for the long year ahead. No Ranger kisses, Ranger smiles, Ranger’s wandering hands and Ranger-induced orgasms? I would take the overdose now and a couple of baths when he left. The bed, the shower, the floor, it didn’t matter to Ranger as long as there was no pressure on my leg. We even had sex on his dining room table, which went a long way to erasing a lot of bad memories for me. He left early Wednesday morning, just as I was drifting into sleep. I removed his pillowcase from the pillow and put it in a Ziploc bag; yeah, it’s sad, but it’s all I have for the next 365 days.
During lunches, we talked about anything and everything but our ‘relationship’ and what he would actually be doing during the year. He called Julie to tell her he would be on assignment for a year and even though it was stateside she still might not hear from or see him. Julie and I made plans to see each other and hang out during my first visit to Miami, and Rachel let me know to call her and she would let me spend days with Julie, especially if it were during the summer.
Ranger was pleased by this, I could tell. Julie and I have had a very close relationship ever since Scrog, and I’m not sure what he told Julie in Spanish, but she was very happy about my trip to Miami. He refused to talk about RangeMan and my new CO duties, saying that work discussions were not to take place in our bedroom. Our bedroom. I know he’s trying not to make any promises, but little slips like that reinforce my hope.
A message was dispatched to the company’s head accountant and attorney on Tuesday to get here ASAP, so they arrived on Wednesday and walked me through the paperwork. I signed new paperwork for my Medical Power of Attorney to be held by Hal and Zero and finally wrote a will. I left everything, my few worldly goods, to my nieces. Legal custody of Rex, should I predecease him, would go to the RangeMan Trenton office.
The guys were touched. I’m not so sure about Rex, but since he was napping on Woody’s shoulder at the time, I think he’ll be OK with the arrangement. They reviewed the legal framework for RangeMan and had me sign the necessary paperwork to ensure that any orders and decisions I made carried Ranger’s full legal weight. Apparently, he’d already signed this paperwork before he left.
The company accountants went through all the company financial accounts, balance worksheets, branch accounts, and investment accounts. I hadn’t looked at that many spreadsheets since my EE Martin days, maybe even since my college days. Tank and Lester pointed out special accounts used for ops (like the six set up for Ranger’s current op) and accounts that were actually coded signals if Ranger and the guys were in trouble. Holy hell . . . another sign of the difference between my life and Ranger’s. He has bank accounts that signal that he’s in trouble. I have one bank account in constant trouble.
For the first time, it’s being shoved in my face what I truly cost RangeMan. It isn’t just the red ink at RangeMan Trenton, which was bad enough. It’s the numerous injuries in the Apprehensions group that keep Manny short-staffed (and I thought I was so smart to figure out that he needed more men!) The double-time and hazard pay for ‘Bombshell Duty’; I figured that out looking at the pay rates and sample timesheets with the accountants, who steadfastly refused to comment more than necessary on it. It’s especially clear in reading the status reports from the men after they have a bout of ‘Bombshell Duty’. They’re matter-of-fact and fair, but they consistently point out that I’m unarmed and I have contraband. I never realized they were writing that up. I thought it was my secret with each one, but it’s protocol; they have to report it although no one ever mentions it or reprimands me. I’m guessing it’s because ‘Bombshell Duty’ with me is the only time they’ll get near any, but they’re also consistent in admitting to indulging with me. It’s in the fact that the guys have had to delay opening the San Antonio office. No one has actually said anything about it but I’ve figured it out. It makes me wonder, yet again, why the guys are putting me in charge. I want to know, but it takes more courage than I have to ask.
On Tuesday, Trenton Core asked me to call a meeting about the SharePoint project so they could demo it and start talking to the company liaisons and electronic guys about implementation. I decided to give them Thursday afternoon, so Hector set up the environment and arranged a conference video call to demo it and start the discussion. The strategists and liaisons were excited about it immediately, so they arranged their groups to discuss what to bring up and the order they intend to do it. I arranged training for Hector and the network guys. I can’t wait to get some of these projects started. I’m already going stir crazy being in the building all the time. I need a distraction.
Tank, Lester and Bobby enjoyed spending Thursday going through the company finances, status reports, projections, and goals with me. Their biggest goal for the year was to grow the company by 6%. A lot of that growth could come from improving the Bond capture rate, so they encouraged me to hold a seminar in Trenton as soon as possible to teach the bonds and research people from around the company how I do it. The XOs were still here, so they were told to send a message to their Research people to send two or three of their best to Trenton for this little conference next week.
In keeping with my word to ‘be Ranger’, I’d met with Hal, Manny and Ram on 5 on Tuesday morning to discuss my new exercise and diet regime. In order to make me mobile, they’d gotten a wheelchair and some crutches so I could get myself to each floor via the elevator during the day. They’d also spent some time with Bobby to work out an initial training plan for me while I was on bed rest. Bobby stated that they needed to take care to ensure that it didn’t look as if I was favoring the Trenton office all the time. Yes, I come from Trenton and I know everyone here, but for the next year I was CO of RangeMan LLC. I needed to appear to be neutral, and allowing the Trenton guys to order me around, even if it was to meet physical standards, might look like favoritism.
So Hal and Ram talked to Cal, a former professional bodybuilder, and he suggested hiring an outside physical therapist/trainer to work with me. Then it wouldn’t appear that the Trenton guys had the luxury of ordering me around. I was worried; Cal has a different standard when it comes to fitness, above even RangeMan standards, but I want control of my life back. The quicker the better. Cal had recommended Sarah, a Marine, former athlete, and bodybuilder. She would bring me up to female military standards. They would still get to teach me security related skills, but when it came to the physical standards, someone else would be ordering me around. Oh well, so much for a catch.
My first morning with Sarah was not good. I was in the gym at 6AM on Friday, a miracle for me, and I wasn’t happy. She didn’t care. She and I had a meeting of the minds before I did a single exercise. Or, more correctly, she had a speech and it was too early for my brain to fire on all cylinders.
“Ms. Plum, it’s a pleasure to work with you for the next few months, but I want to be very clear before we start. I’m here to strengthen your leg and get you up to female military fitness standards. That’s what’s in my job description. My job description says nothing about us being friends or even liking each other, and personally, you don’t have to like me. I admire you because of everything I’ve heard about you, but it won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t like me.”
I can’t tell what kind of speech this is. Is this supposed to motivate me?
“I’m here because Calvin said that he wanted nothing but the best for you. I’ve known him forever, so I’m willing to bounce a client training for Ms. Universe to work with you instead. Please don’t make light of my career sacrifice by giving me less than your best. I’ve been told to make this fun for you, to try non-traditional things, and I will, but there will be very traditional weight training and cardio work, too. I ask that you work with me to sculpt a better you.”
I was too flabbergasted to say anything. I wanted to tell her that there was absolutely nothing in her speech to inspire or motivate me, and if she expected me to show up in the gym before the sun was up she had better change her approach. Plus, if her normal clients are the type training for Ms. Universe, she had just taken a severe career nose-dive with me.
She took advantage of my slack-jawed confusion to get me started on her regime. Sit ups, pull ups, push-ups, bench pressing, you name it; I did it, as long as I didn’t have to stand up. By 6:55 AM I was covered in sweat and collapsed on the floor. The treadmill was not looking so bad.
“Well, you aren’t as bad as I feared but we have a way to go. I’ll be here every Monday thru Saturday at 6 AM to work with you. Schedule an hour for us, starting at 6AM sharp. I’ll add five crunches for every minute you’re late.”
I tried quickly to think of another time for us to meet, but dammit, my schedule is already packed. It’s either 6 AM or 6PM, and 6PM is dinner at Mom’s if I ever intend to go. Sigh. I nod at her. 6AM it is, starting tomorrow.
The snow job is complete. I’m buried in paperwork. My schedule is completely filled with meetings, exercise, scheduled time to bring me up to ‘standards’, and bonding time with my partner. I want to scream, to run crying from all of it, but I won’t. I can’t. I promised Ranger I’d do this, and he asks so little of me compared to what he gives. I know that he’s said that there’s no price, but there is. I just don’t want to do the math on that price. I promised him I would keep his company afloat. I promised Lester, Bobby, and Tank I would do this. I’m the cause of so much red ink at RangeMan Trenton that I have to correct this. I meant what I said Sunday afternoon; I have to fix this. I cannot be the reason the guys don’t have jobs. I have to own this and make it right.
The only question now is: How?
Ella’s POV (All conversations in Spanish)
Carlito is already gone and mis sobrinos (my nephews) are leaving in tomorrow. For me, this is cause for great sadness but also for immense relief. When they clear out, I get to execute my plan.
You see, one of the best parts of being a retired lady with happily married children and no grandchildren (yet) is the amount of time I spend in planning and executing my own little plans and stratagems. The men think Lester is brilliant and I give him credit; in planning military schemes he has only Carlito as a peer. However, the boys think too small in this little caper. They think the entire onus is on Stephanie to change and improve. They give no thought to any changes needed by Carlito.
You see, I am a fan of Stephanie joining Carlito’s life but only if he earns his position. Yes, yes, I know that he has given her the actions. He has saved her life, he has loaned her cars and men, and he has given her a job. Yes, I understand that it shows a love for her that goes beyond words. But she is a woman and a woman needs words. She needs actions and words, not one or the other. No woman likes to guess at a man’s intentions, and that is what Carlito has had Stephanie doing for four years.
Yes, I can hear you saying that Stephanie has run back and forth between the policía and Carlito the entire time, but does that not show that she wanted to hear the words from Carlito? She would not give her heart to the policía because she needed to know how Carlito felt. She needed to know if she had a chance with him, if she would ever have a chance with him, and until she knew (or gave up) she would continue to wait for the day that Carlito gave her a clear answer.
It seems that perhaps the day has finally come. I saw her face before he left, overheard him tell her that they would talk about their ‘relationship’ when he returned, and I see that he is finally giving her some hope. So now I see that Carlito has finally given her some words and it has made all the difference. She is ready to tackle anything in order to have a relationship with him, and it makes me happy and furious at the same time. I am furious because she is settling. She is so desperate to be loved by him that she will bend herself beyond recognition in order to be with him, and I refuse to be a party to this. I recognize that she needs the training and I will work with the boys on that, but even if Carlito had not asked, I would never have removed the fats and sugar completely from her diet. It is not her. It is not who she is.
So I spent some time thinking about all I knew about their relationship and I realized that they didn’t really have one. Not a real relationship, not a romantic relationship. I do not know what kind of romantic relationship Stephanie had with the policía, but I highly doubt it was a very romantic one. Friends with benefits, is that the saying? I’m not sure, but my plan for the year is to change Stephanie’s thinking.
I want to raise her expectations. I want her to demand the romantic, thoughtful gestures that a man who loves a woman is happy to provide for her. Reloading her gun is not romantic. I’ve been married to Luis for 35 years and I still get yellow roses every Friday. He still praises my meals and pays for me to have my hair and nails done. We have a standing date night that not even Carlito interferes with. I want these things and more for Stephanie. If Stephanie makes these changes to have a relationship with Carlito then I am determined that Carlito will make some changes to finally prove his heart to Stephanie.
I knew that I needed a partner in order to carry this off. Luis is, of course, happy to participate, but Stephanie does not know him. I think she’s met Luis three or four times in the past four years. It’s not enough. Finally, I realized that Hector is the perfect partner for this. Hector is the only man in the entire company who does not have a partner. He adores Stephanie and would be happy to partner with her and train her. Hector is also a romantic, but working in this company, with his orientation (and having his deadly reputation), means that his heart is as guarded as Carlito’s. He needs the practice of being romantic without losing his edge, and using Stephanie as a test case would be perfect for him. It would be a good match.
On Wednesday, as the boys were trying to determine who to place as the head of Stephanie’s security, I very slyly muttered that I needed to see Hector about a malfunctioning camera. Once Hector’s name was mentioned, I watched as the boys realized what I had. They were thrilled to have Hector partnered and I was thrilled to have my future accomplice in place. Plus, the boys thought it was their idea and I’m happy to let them take the credit.
Now that Hector has been informed, I think it’s time to have a little chat with him. I go looking for him and find him in his office this morning. “Hector?”
“Yes?”
“I need your help.”
His eyebrows raise. Hector is rarely asked for his help. “OK, Ella. What do you need?”
I detail my plan and expectations to him. As I talk, I can see that he is coming on board, and by the time I sit back to await his answer, he’s smiling.
“I think we underestimate you, Ella.”
“All of you do. I’m just as underestimated as you are.” I smile knowingly and Hector blinks and drops his ‘blank face’ into place. “Too late. I’ve known for years and I’ve kept your secret. I think you should tell Stephanie, though. She needs to know, and it will build trust between you. Anyway, do you see any flaws in this plan?” I’m well aware that Hector is also a good strategist, and I need to keep this plan to people who could never be coerced to talk.
“A few. Let’s map this out.”
We spend the next hour determining a schedule for this plan. Hector has good ideas that I’ve never thought about and ways to incorporate the training the boys want her to receive into my plan. When I walk out, I feel much better about what I’ve decided to do and about my new partner. Hector is giddy (well, as giddy as Hector will show) about his portion of the plan.
Carlito had better watch out. The Stephanie he returns to will not be the same woman he left, in more ways than one.
