A/N not mine, I own nothing but the but the plot.

What the Heart Wants

She wasn't ready by any means, but she knew that it was coming. He was on his way and it would be done on his timeline. He would force it to happen no matter what. She tamped down the panic that was welling up in her chest with some deep breathing. She felt a large pair of arms wrap around her from behind and a familiar head lay down on top of hers.

"I called his phone and left a text as well. If he looks at them he'll be here at seven to talk. I did warn him that we would be here with you at all times."

"Thank you, Tank."

She felt him nod into her curls and kissed her curls. They stood like that for awhile before he gently tugged her to her bed and laid down with her just letting her soak in his strength, his calm, and what felt suspiciously like love. They fell asleep entwined together and Cal found them like that at five thirty. They would need the time to get get ready. Dinner had already been ordered from a local restaurant and Hector would be picking it up at six.

At seven on the dot there was a knock on the door. It was show time. At her acknowledgement Cal opened the door to reveal a very tired and distraught looking Ranger Manoso. The guys were on guard immediately, hands were on guns and Ranger noticed. He held his hands up to show he meant to harm. Cal slowly moved aeay from the door and signaled him inside. The tension racketed up with each deliberate step he took into the space she called home.

Breaking the thick atmosphere that had built Stephanie said, "Let's eat first then we'll talk.

She turned towards the kitchen to finish setting the table with Tank hot on her heels. They took the silverware and food out to the table and found everyone standing around the table just glaring at each other. Steph and Tank took their seats and everyone joined them. It wasn't the most comfortable meal they had sat through, but for Steph it wasn't even the worst. That had been her birthday when Ranger proposed to Holly.

Once everything was cleared Hector and Cal cleaned up while Steph, Tank, and Ranger went in the living room to begin their chat. Ranger only raised an eyebrow when Steph sat with Tank and entwined her fingers with his. After a heavy sigh, something that was almost unheard of from Ranger, he looked directly at her. He seemed to be trying to guage the situation before he spoke.

Of course he started with the one word crap asking, "why?"

"Why what Ranger? Why are we here on earth? Why does God seem to think that I'm his favorite toy to break? Why am I holding onto Tank? Why am I terrified of you? Take your pick on which why, Ranger. I can't read minds," Steph snarked at him.

He seemed taked back by her words; by the bitterness and anger behind them. It hit him like a ton of bricks with the amount of pain he caused her.

"Why did to turn Holly in? Was it to get back at me?"

"You are the biggest asshat on this planet! I was asked to consult on the case to begin with then I wanted to keep you safe. Despite the crap you put my through, I didn't want you hurt or killed. I'm not you Ranger. I don't go out of my way to threaten my friends, even the ones that I used to love."

"So you did it because you love me. Is this some ploy to get me back in your bed?"

"I don't want you in the same state as me, let alone in my life. If you don't want to believe that I did it just to sace your life, there's the door and don't let it hit you on the ass on your way out.

"Now, are you going to use that fucking brain of yours or do I have to spell everything out to you? Is this another way to try and tear me down another notch? I gotta tell you that you no longer have the power to hurt me like you seem to always do. It's almost like a game to you," she said whit a large amount of venom in her voice.

"Obviously I'm doing this wrong. I want, no I need to apologize to you. I shouldn't have pushed you out of my life. I should have been there when you lost..."

"No! You do not get to talk about my child! You lost that right the last time I saw you. You lost that right when you made me fear for my life," she shouted at him. "Say what you need to say and then we'll go on with our lives separately."

He ran a hand down his face with his eye closed. When he opened them, they could see the remorse and regret play across his face. "I understand why you feel that way. I was riding high on my emotions when you last saw me. The woman I thought I could move on from you with was planning on betraying me and you were the one to save me. I couldn't help but think you were doing it to get back at me. I was wrong."

They could have heard a pin drop in the room when he dropped that bombshell. Ranger never admitted when he was wrong. He never apologized for what he believed to be true. Steph's eye went wide and she gripped Tanks hand a little harder at those two words. They were words no one ever thought they would hear out of his mouth.

"I forgive you, but I'll never forget. You broke me. You hurt me worse than anyone in my has ever done before and it was made worse when it was during a time I need you most. Maybe one day we can be friends again, but I doubt it will be any time soon. I am rebuilding my life and I suggest you do the same. Get some damn help for your mental issues, because you need as much as I have and I'm getting it. You need to grow up and lose the damn ego. One day you'll meet someone who won't be a door mat and let you walk over them until they need replaced.

"I'm not letting you use me as a door mat any longer, Ranger. I'm getting stronger everyday. I don't wake up everyday praying that it is my last anymore. I no longer have a death wish, just a life wish and I hope you find that too, someday."

"Thank you," he told her softly.

Tank stood and went over to Ranger. He pulled him into a hug. They whispered something to each other that was too low for Stephanie to hear. Cal amd Hector were standing in the doorway watching the scene unfold and knew that the man they all once called brother would be leaving soon to get his personal demons under control.

It would be a long road, but he would get there. They all shook his hand before he left Steph's apartment. Steph turned in Tanks arms and silently cried for the man who was her world. When she looked up into Tank's eyes she smiled a watery smile that was full of life for the first time in nearly two years.

A/N Thank you for all the well wishes, it's been crazy! I have about four more chapters left on this plus an epilogue. It's hard to believe that this crazy ride is nearly over!

I did post my 100th story on FF called Bang Bang, it's a fun little one shot with potential to build on in the future.

Also, one of my favorite witers on here Jdho2 has a new Avengers/Stephanie Plum cross over called Out if th frying pan. Go check it out if you get the chance and leave her some love.