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Realigning Destiny
By TT

Sometimes chance intervenes in our lives and causes destiny to jump the tracks. When this happens, fate steps in and realigns destiny’s course to bring us to where we need to be. But, as with the course of true love, the road of realignment doesn’t always run smooth.

Part 30: Closer

Ranger smiled as he headed over to Bob's with the file of information and pictures. Stephanie had given him earlier.

They hadn't gotten into her nightmare too deeply, especially not after Charlie joined them, but she had opened up to him, given him the names she had been withholding. It had gotten them one step closer to the openness they had shared before, one step closer to a life together.

And it had gotten them one step closer to understanding what was going on so they could take down the group before the terrorists caused any damage.

Of course, now that he knew Campbell and DiMarco were involved, he had realized that the stakes had gotten significantly higher. He and Bob wouldn't be enough anymore.

Even if Stephanie helped out, they wouldn't be able to pull this off.

With those two involved, whatever was going on had to be a lot more than they first thought. This small band here in Montana would be only a small part of whatever was being planned.

Ranger wasn't too proud to admit when he was outclassed. Whatever the terrorists' plan was, it was bigger than he'd ever dealt with before.

Calling in help was something he wouldn't be able to decide on his own, however. This was Bob's op and Ranger had just come along for the ride.

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he contemplated the first twist on that ride – finding Stephanie.

At first, he had been so thankful, so grateful for finding her again, he had just accepted it.

After the initial surprise, though, he began to see the changes in her, the little things and the big ones.

There was a wariness about her now. It wasn't terribly pronounced, but it was there. It was the sort of thing he'd seen in people who were on the run, who were targeted and who had to watch their own backs. It was something that Stephanie would have learned from her time running from Trenton.

At the same time, though, it was as if a new dimension had been added.

That came from Charlie.

It wasn't that Steph had changed who she was, just changed her focus a little. From her current job and willingness to help Bob, it seemed evident that she was still trying to fly, but now she was taking a few precautions before she jumped.

That was one change Ranger couldn't help but approve.

What he wasn't sure about, though, was taking on the role of father.

It wasn't that he didn't like Charlie. Seeing the boy with Stephanie, it was easy to tell they belonged together. They were too much a part of each other to be separated.

There were a few things that worried him, though, including the danger he would bring to their lives, the fact his only experience with children was his having been one, the fact that Charlie was every bit as protective of Stephanie as he was, and he wasn't sure he could ever be a father figure. Action figure? Maybe. But father figure could be well beyond his reach.

Letting out a sigh, he ran his hand through his hair.

There were other issues and concerns as well.

Stephanie was legally dead. Yes, they could bring her back, but would that be best for her? Would it be best for Charlie?

And what then? Would they move to Trenton? Or Boston? Or Miami? Would she want to go back after being free from the Burg?

Unless she threw him out – and maybe not even then – Ranger was going to be staying with her for the rest of their lives. That meant ties to her old life whether she wanted them or not. He wouldn't – couldn't – stop Tank and the others from getting in touch or visiting. One visit and they would know.

Also, he wasn't ready to completely give up Rangeman. It was true that he hadn't been there full time, but it was still his company. When he was ready to sell, that would be one thing, but that time wasn't now.

Spotting Bob's house up ahead, he knew that all of those questions and the hundreds of others running around in his head would have to wait.

With a skill earned the hard way, he shut off that portion of his mind and focused completely on the issue at hand – the terrorists.

Though it might be too early to hope for any news or developments, it was also possible Bob had discovered something via the bugs they had planted.

Parking the car, he grabbed the folder and got out. There was a lot to do.

To Be Continued In part 31: Paint

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