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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 36: Turning Point

Stephanie walked into the house and dropped her bag on the kitchen counter.

She wasn't surprised when, a few moments later, she heard the door to the house open and close.

After her idea about the group looking to distract everyone from their real target, the three of them had spent no little time reviewing everything they knew about Denver and what potential targets there were.

She knew in her gut that her realization about the targets was correct and that they had reached a turning point in their investigation. The problem was, they needed just a little more information, or, perhaps a little more inspiration before they could figure out what the real target was.

When she felt strong arms wrap around her, Stephanie leaned back against Ranger's firm chest and closed her eyes, allowing the stress of the day to leak away. Who needed Calgon bubble baths to take them away when they had Ranger available?

“Calgon, Babe?” Ranger asked, his smile evident in his voice.

Stephanie could feel her face heating and was certain it was beet red. “Yeah,” she admitted grudgingly. “Don't you remember those old commercials where the harried woman would say, 'Calgon take me away' and she would be immediately transported to some perfectly serene bubble bath worlds away from her life.”

Ranger leaned down and placed a kiss just behind her ear. “I'd be more than happy to take you away anywhere you were willing to go, anytime you want to leave,” he assured, his voice perfectly serious and filled with love.

Stephanie felt her eyes begin to tear at the emotion. How many times over the years had she wanted precisely that? How many time had she just longed for his arms around her to hold her and let her feel safe? How many times had she dreamed of sharing her burdens with him and having him share with her? She couldn't recall a day that went by where those desires hadn't been part of her. “Soon,” she whispered, taking one of his hands in hers and bringing it up to her mouth to place a kiss on it.

Ranger gently turned her in his arms so he could see her face. Gently cupping her face in his hands, he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “We'll figure it out, Babe,” he assured. Then, taking her hand, he led her to one of the chairs and settled her in his lap.

Leaning back to rest her head on his shoulder, Stephanie let a sigh of contentment escape. She could really get used to having Ranger around all the time, coming home to him at the end of the day or having him come home to her. But even as she let the fantasy form in her mind, she couldn't help but miss Charlie's presence, even if it was only for one night.

“Missing Charlie?” Ranger asked.

Stephanie couldn't help but smile. “Yeah,” she admitted. “I always do.”

Silence descended on them and Stephanie felt herself drifting off. Before she could fall asleep, though, she felt Ranger shift beneath her. “What?” she asked, sleepily.

There was another moment of silence before Ranger spoke. “Stephanie,” he began.

At that point, Stephanie stiffened and sat up, moving so she could look at his face. If Ranger was using her full name, it had to be serious. Meeting his eyes, she saw that he was worried and, perhaps, nervous about what he was going to say.

“You know that once we figure out what is going on, or at least have a good idea, we're going to have to act,” Ranger explained.

Stephanie felt herself go cold at that thought. “You and Bob aren't enough,” she stated, saying the first thing that came to mind. She had meant it as a denial of the assertion she felt sure was coming that Ranger and Bob would go after the group themselves.

Ranger nodded at her words. “Technically, we are enough to take care of the situation,” he informed, “but we're not going to be doing this alone.”

Stephanie let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. “So there will be a team,” she stated.

Keeping his eyes locked on hers, Ranger nodded, but remained silent.

Wondering why he remained silent, it only took Stephanie a few minutes to put the pieces together. “People who know me,” she whispered.

“Some,” Ranger replied, running one of his hands up and down her back in a soothing motion. “There will be other people from other agencies involved, but everyone's going to know you're Stephanie Plum when it's over and people back home will know where you are and that you're alive.”

Stephanie just stared at Ranger in shock and disbelief. The last four years of her life had been all about hiding. She knew there was always a chance she could be discovered, but it had begun to seem so remote, so far away. She couldn't stay here, but she couldn't uproot Charlie either.

“Breathe, Babe,” Ranger said, trying to lighten the mood.

It was several minutes before he was satisfied that Stephanie was calm enough for him to continue.

“You're going to be facing another turning point in your life, Babe,” he informed softly. “Everything you've built here will be here, but will be changed. Everything you've lived the past four years will be altered and never be the same.”

Stephanie met his eyes, knowing hers were wide with understanding. She had vaguely suspected from the beginning of this investigation that her life would never be the same, but to be faced with it was almost terrifying. “But what about Charlie? What about the threat?”

Ranger sighed and drew her into his arms, hugging her tightly to him, her head resting on his shoulder once more. “I don't want to leave you again, Babe,” he whispered. “Not ever.” After holding her another moment, he pushed her away slightly so he could once more look into her eyes. “I know this is going to be a change in your life and it can be huge or it can be small.” He paused to take a breath before continuing, “But, whatever changes happen, I want to be there by your side, helping you and Charlie through them.”

Her mouth fell open slightly, she knew it did. It had to. In the middle of the night, in her kitchen, after four years apart, Ranger had just committed his life to hers, had asked her to allow it. Tears welled up in her eyes as emotion overwhelmed her. “Yes,” she whispered in an emotion-filled voice. “Yes,” she repeated, barely more than a breath. She leaned forward and kissed him firmly, letting any remaining stress and worry be swept away by love, joy, peace, happiness and contentment.

After the kiss ended, she looked at him and saw that the tears in her eyes were reflected in his as well. So much had happened in their lives, so much that worked to keep them apart. But they finally – finally! - had a chance at someday.

“We'll figure it out, Babe,” he whispered to her, leaning forward to brush his lips against hers. “We'll figure it out together, all three of us.”

The smile that bloomed on Stephanie's face at hearing these words rivaled Ranger's at its most brilliant. One word settled firmly in her mind and heart – family.

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