Disclaimer: The characters are property of Janet Evanovich and I am not making any money from this story. The story line is mine.

Challenge # 3 Map to my Heart

By, Elissahara30

For Lindsay for never failing to ask when I was going to write more, this is for you babe -

"None of us knows what the next change is going to be, what unexpected opportunity is just around the corner, waiting a few months or a few years to change all the tenor of our lives."
-Kathleen Norris, Hands Full of Living

I held the smooth wrapped box in my hand and looked at the apartment door before me. Stephanie has been home for a couple of weeks. And no matter how many times I had tried to see her, Morelli was there blocking my way.

I knew she hadn't given Morelli back the ring. But I wasn't going to walk away. I made a deal with God and I always keep up my end of a deal.

I raised my hand to knock and hesitated. Then with a deep breath I knocked. I heard the locks tumble and the chain pull back and the door opened.

She looked so tired, but she smiled at me, "I was wondering how long you were going to be standing out there." She stepped back to let me in and I walked past her and closed and she closed the door behind me.

She made her way into her living room and sat down on the couch and put the lap blanked over her legs, "How are you doing?" I asked.

She frowned at me, "I wish I was feeling normal again."

I sat down next to her and put the wrapped box on her coffee table, "It takes time," I said softly. I still hadn't forgiven myself for what I had done.

"Ranger," she said softly.

I looked at her and her eyes were so clear blue, "Babe?"

"I'm glad you're here."

I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the couch, "I am too."

I felt her poke me and I opened my eyes and turned my head toward her. Her beautiful lips where curved up into such a sweet smile. I can just imagine that she tasted like strawberries. I quirked one of my eyebrows at her.

"What's with the present?" She asked.

I reached forwarded and picked up the box and held it in my hands. I had debated long and hard about this gift. I was about to hand her something that no one had ever received from me. Something that would make me very vulnerable. I looked to her and gave her the gift, "Open it."

She plucked up the box and unwrapped the box without slowing down. She carefully pulled off the lid and moved back the paper. I watched with slight amusement when her brows knitted together as she pulled out the handheld GPS system.

Stephanie just looked at it and then at me, "What is this for?"

I carefully took the device from her hands and turned it on and I handed it back to her, "Where is it pointing at Babe?"

She looked down the readouts and said, "My apartment." I could tell she was still confused.

"I had this custom made," I said quietly, "No matter where I am Babe. . ." I paused as I tried to gather the right words to tell her what I was giving her, "No matter where life takes you, with this device you will always find me. No matter where I go."

"Ranger I don't understand," she said.

"I've made so many mistakes with you," I held her hand in mine and I touched her engagement ring, "I'm not going to make anymore."

"I don't blame for what happened in that alley," she whispered.

I shook my head, "Someday I want to be your home. And when you're ready, I want you to be able to find me."

I touched her face as the slow tears leaked out of her eyes, "I can't accept this," she said.

I forced myself not to move. I wasn't walking away, not when there was still a chance. I remembered what Mrs. Plum had told me and for once in my life I was going to listen, "Babe, please take it."

"I don't know what to say," she said slowly.

I tapped in another location on the GPS and handed it back to her, "Once you wanted to find where I lived. When are ready, you'll be able to find it."

"Oh, Ranger," she breathed out as she looked at the screen.

I leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. She was sweeter than strawberries. She tasted like every hope and promise I had forgotten when I became a man. I leaned my forehead against hers, and I swallowed hard. "I have always loved you," I said.

A/N: Hahahahahahaha . . . I didn't forget to write more. Nope nope.