Realigning Destiny - Part 9: Fireflies
By TT
Disclaimer/Notes: See part 1
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Realigning Destiny
By TT
Sometimes chance intervenes in our lives and causes destiny jumps 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 9 - Fireflies
It was dark as Stephanie pulled up to their house. Charlie was still chattering away about everything he had done that day.
Normally, Stephanie paid complete attention to him. She loved to hear about his adventures. It frequently made up for everything that had gone wrong for her.
Ever since her talk with Bucky, though, her mind would constantly stray to thoughts of Ranger, thoughts of what they had shared, of how they had been together, and of their love.
Taking in the house, she could see the light in Ranger's room was on, as was the parlor light.
A slight movement on the porch, however, drew her attention. She didn't have to see the form clearly to know that it was Ranger.
Pulling up beside the house, she parked the SUV.
She struggled a bit to keep things normal as they gathered their bags together.
As they entered the house, Stephanie caught Charlie stifling another yawn. “Time for you to head to be, mister,” she commanded.
“But, Mom...”
“No buts. That's three yawns between the car and the house. Bed. Now.”
Charlie was about to protest when another yawn overtook him. With a sigh of defeat he went upstairs to change and get in bed.
Stephanie brought their bags to the laundry room and started unpacking them. Her uniform was still clean, so she was able to put it in the washer without pre-treating.
It was as she was closing the washer lid that she noticed her hands were shaking.
Fisting her hands, she recited the mantra she'd been repeating to herself all night, “Nothing bad will happen.” It was just too bad she didn't seem to be able to believe it.
Shaking herself to try and get rid of her apprehension, Stephanie headed upstairs to say good night to Charlie.
Ten minutes later, she found herself standing before the door to the front hallway. She desperately wanted to go find Ranger, but she was also desperately afraid to find him. A momentous change was about to happen in her life and she had no idea what it would be.
Whatever fate held for her, though, she would need to face it head on as she always had.
Her decision made, Stephanie pushed the door open and headed down the hall.
As she suspected, the parlor and dining room were both empty.
Making her way to the front door, she opened it and stepped outside. It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust, but she hadn't really needed them to know Ranger was nearby. Not only had she spotted him moving earlier, but she could smell the faint scent of his shower gel.
Moving to the bench where he was currently reclining, she sat next to him. They sat side by side in darkness, neither making a move to touch the other, neither, apparently, willing to break the silence.
Eventually, though, Stephanie gave in and broke the silence. “So, did you come out here to catch fireflies?” she asked, saying the first thing that came to mind.
“Babe,” Ranger replied, his voice a mixture of amusement and horror.
Hearing her nickname spoken in that tone for the first time in four years caused her breath to catch and her heart to still for a moment. She felt something inside her loosen, while something else mended and the worry and fear she'd been fighting fade away. “Ranger,” she whispered back, shocked by the tear-choked sound of her voice.
As if no time had passed at all, Stephanie found herself wrapped tightly in a pair of strong arms, she rested her head on his shoulder.
The previous night, meeting Ranger on the road had brought back a myriad of feelings, but let her in turmoil. Tonight, hearing that nickname calmed the storm within her. She knew they would overcome the obstacles in their way and she was finally ready to face them.
“Babe,” Ranger repeated, pulling away so he could see her face. “Can I kiss you?”
Stephanie's eyes widened in surprise and joy. “Yes,” she whispered back.
The kiss started out much as the previous one had – filled with love and longing. The tenor of the kiss changed and deepened. It became less a sharing of emotion and more a communion of their souls. In the time their lips were pressed together, answers were sought, answers were given and the conclusion that they fit, that they completed something in the other, was confirmed.
When they finally broke apart, gasping for air, they both knew that a conversation in words would have to happen at some point, but, for now, they were OK.
Moving so she was snuggled against Ranger's side, Stephanie rested her head on his shoulder and asked, “So, if you weren't catching fireflies, what were you doing out here in the dark?”
The arm that Ranger had placed around Stephanie's shoulders tightened for a moment before he replied, “Thinking.”
Knowing she probably wouldn't get a longer answer, she prodded, “About what?”
Ranger was silent for several minutes before he responded, “About you, about why you left, about what I want, about the new life you have here, about what I want to do , about everyone back in Trenton, about my business, about why Bob called me out here and what I have to do to resolve the issue.” He stopped his recitation and was silent for several seconds before adding, “That's about it.”
Uncertain if she was more shocked by his sharing or by the fact she seemed to occupy so many of his thoughts, it took Stephanie several minutes to reply. Finally, though, she did. “That's a lot to have on your mind,” she observed. “I wish we could resolve all the questions you have about me, but now isn't really the time to do that.” She hurried on, afraid Ranger would interrupt with an objection. “We do need to deal with all of it, but first, you need to deal with Bob's situation. I'll still be here when it's resolved,” she assured.
Silence stretched through several long minutes before Stephanie interpreted its meaning. When she did, she couldn't help her protest. “No!” she denied. “It's not that dangerous. It can't be. You just found me.” She cut herself off as she realized she was headed toward a panicked ramble.
Ranger sighed and was silent as he gathered his thoughts. “Bob... I knew him when I was in the Rangers. He was and still is one of the best and most competent men I know.” Although the bench they were sitting on was dimly lit, Ranger shifted until he was facing Stephanie, looking into her eyes. “Babe. Stephanie, a man like Bob doesn't need help unless it's very, very bad.”
“So, this isn't just helping around his house or something?” she asked her voice small.
“No, Babe. If he's right, it's very, very bad.”
Stephanie swallowed her fear. “Then I want to help, however, I can,” she stated.
Ranger smiled and let out a low chuckle. “Never change, Steph.” He took a deep breath and looked away, into the darkness. “There's a reason Bob hasn't brought this to you. It's not just because some of what we need to do would be a conflict of interest with your job as deputy. It's not that this is probably too big for us to handle. Mostly, it's Charlie. If something happened to you... He's lost one mother already. He doesn't to lose a second one before his ninth birthday.”
Stunned, Stephanie sat perfectly still as the seriousness and magnitude of what Ranger was saying sank in. She did have to worry about Charlie first, last and always, but she also knew she couldn't let Ranger and Bob go into this without helping them as much as possible. Even if it was just background and research.
Squaring her shoulders, Stephanie turned Ranger's head so he was looking at her again. “I'm helping,” she stated. There was no doubt in her voice, no room for argument. “Whatever I can do, I will. Jed won't complain about me running searches or anything like that. I have access to a lot of information,” she offered.
A smile crept across her face. “Besides,” she added, “No psycho stands a chance with me after them and you along with me. Even gangs falter before the Bombshell Bounty Hunter.”
Ranger let out a bark of laughter. “True for normal psychos, Babe, but these people take evil to a whole new level for you,” he explained.
The smile left Stephanie's face and she grew very serious. “I've faced a higher level of evil, Ranger. That's why I'm here and not in Trenton. I faced it and I ran. This time, I'm going to fight back.”
To be continued in Part 10 – 033. Thrilled