"No, none at all," Rani answered without hesitation. "I had no issues with it even when I first met Beau before I chose to leave everything behind and still was forced to live by the laws and ways of my family." Rani glanced at Jeremy. "Are you really together or was that just a test?"
Beau laughed.
D gave Jeremy's hand a squeeze. "We aren't a couple, but we do have sex. You will probably see us flirting. We just wanted to be sure you would be comfortable with that."
"I don't have any issue with anything like that," Rani promised.
"I also mentioned to Rani that he would be required to join in most training sessions, be it at the shooting range, lock picking, hand-to-hand combat, all the stuff Bry made us do," Beau said.
"I haven't even started any of that yet, but I agree. All team members should know everything, even if they aren't going out on the stings. You never know when someone will play Lone Ranger and go out on their own." D stared at Beau, remembering when he'd gone and done a sting on his own with only Carter and Trenton to back him up from home.
"My father taught me to shoot, but it's been a while, but the rest I would be happy to learn. I would even like to help with the computer side of things if you need it. I'm not an expert, but I know my way around enough, I can search for things if you need me to." Rani glanced at Jeremy, then back to D. "Beau also mentioned you'd be okay if I stayed here until I found an apartment?"
"Beau is wrong." D shook his head. When Beau and Rani's eyes widened, he grinned. "You're welcome to stay here as long as you want to. Once the team is active and working a few nights a week, the money will come fast. It won't take long before you can buy a home if you wish to. You're welcome to stay here until then if you want. There's no reason to pay rent on someplace if you don't want to."
Rani looked relieved. "I will take you up on that. I hope to get a job at one of the hospitals, but I'm not sure doing what, and I also plan on looking into what I need to do to get licensed in Colorado, but that is going to be a long process. With all of that, and working with you, I wouldn't be home anyway. I really appreciate the offer."
"Do you have any questions for us?" Jeremy asked.
D realized he was still holding his hand. It seemed natural, so he continued to do it, wondering if Jeremy was aware of it.
"I don't think so. Beau explained a lot. He said you are hoping to get several more team members, and that in time, you'll be going out and doing what you do a few nights a week, right?"
Jeremy nodded.
"I will need to fly back to New York for a day or two and pack the rest of my clothes and things, but I can fit it all in two suitcases. I'll turn in the keys to my apartment, then be here whenever you need me." Rani looked around. "If you want to hire me."
Jeremy glanced at D and he nodded.
"We do." Jeremy tugged his hand from D's and offered it to Rani. "Welcome to the team."
"Thanks." Rani's smile matched the relief that seemed to sweep through his body. It was as if all the tension left him hearing Jeremy's words.
"It will be a pleasure to work with you." D shook his hand, then glanced at Beau. "Did you warn him about Faith?"
"The teenage doctor?" Rani grinned. "He told me about her and warned she would come to visit and insist on assisting me."
D laughed. "You may end up assisting her. She's no-nonsense when it comes to her doctoring."
Beau smiled like a proud father. "She's amazing. I think she'll like you." He smacked Rani on the shoulder. "I'm glad you're here. It will be nice to have someone to discuss things with on a medical level. We may be in different states, but if you need anything, I'm just a phone call away."
"Thanks." Rani smiled. "This is so good. I was so worried about what I was going to do. New York is so expensive. I couldn't have stayed there long. When I talked to Beau and he told me to fly out and meet him here, I wasn't sure what to expect, but this is more than I could have imagined. I really thank all of you."
"I'm glad you were willing. The team needs you. You'll be a great asset. I don't know if I mentioned it, but you aren't stuck here. If you find this isn't for you, you can quit at any time. All we ask is you keep quiet about who we are and what you know," Beau told Rani. "If this gets to be more than you expected, talk to these two about it."
"I will, but I think this is going to be a perfect fit. I'm looking forward to working with you." Rani smiled at them.
"Well, why don't I take you down the hall and show you the medical room? Then, once we are done there, these guys can tell you where to sleep." Beau stood.
"All the rooms upstairs are available other than the one you're using, Beau. D and I will be staying in the room down here tonight." Jeremy glanced at D.
D nodded to Beau. "Show him the computer room and everything else." He glanced at Rani. "I'll have money for you tomorrow. Consider it an advance. If you need anything at all, let us know. We know how it is to start over in a new place. As a team, we're also family, so please, don't hesitate to talk to us about anything."
"I promise." Rani took a deep breath. "Thank you."
As D watched him follow Beau out of the room, he turned to Jeremy. "Well, one more team member down, several more to go."
Jeremy wrapped his arm around D's waist. "We'll find them."
Taking comfort in Jeremy's touch, he nodded. "I sure hope so."
