Eliza Higgins and Henry Doolittle

Chapter 6

Stephanie gave Ranger the directions to the home of Stella, the psychic. It was about five blocks away, in an area that was a little bit safer than the corner of Stark and Shaw, but still considered part of the hood.

Stella was in her late fifties with salt and pepper hair worn in a loose bun, high on her head. Her office was an enclosed sunroom where she'd set up a card table with chairs. Next to the card table was a TV tray on a metal stand, holding several decks of cards, including regular playing cards, tarot cards and cards with astrological signs on the back that Stephanie didn't recognize.

She told Ranger and Stephanie to take a seat, then sat down in front of a deck of tarot cards that were already dealt out in the shape of a T. "I've been expecting the two of you," she told them. "I cleared my schedule and have done six different layouts and readings this morning."

Ranger and Stephanie exchanged a quick glance then turned their eyes back to Stella. Ranger cleared his throat. "I know you've met Stephanie once in the past, but how can you be expecting someone you've never met?"

Stella gave him a hearty laugh. "Ranger, please. We've met more times than I can count. Once you evolve to the point where you allow your conscious mind to meld with your memories, you'll remember everything."

Ranger felt a chill travel down his spine. How did this woman know his name and why did he not remember meeting her in the past? "Explain," he said. His voice was soft, but it was a command nonetheless.

Stella looked from Ranger to Stephanie and back again. "When did the two of you meet?" she asked.

"Yesterday morning," Ranger told her, wishing she'd get on with her explanation.

"Impressive." She looked at Stephanie. "And you've already kissed him and the two of you seem very relaxed together. Quite an improvement."

Stephanie's eyes widened with surprise. How could this woman know she'd kissed Ranger the night before? Was someone spying on her? Stalking her? Before she could ask, Stella began speaking again.

"The two of you have been together in many different lifetimes over the centuries," she said, still gazing at Stephanie. "You, my dear, are almost always the reason it takes the two of you so long to get together and declare your love for one another. You alternately fight it, sabotage it and/or ignore it - it being the obvious natural attraction you have for one another. Eventually, the two of you work it out and live happily until death you do part - temporarily." She turned to Ranger then.

"You, Ranger, are not without some of the blame. You have a penchant for being born into the mold of a warrior. In each and every lifetime you set out to save the world and to find and protect your woman. Eventually, you're successful in finding and protecting your woman, but sometimes you push her away because you're so caught up in playing the role of warrior and hero, you begin to view yourself as larger than life, and begin to believe you're more of a danger to her than a protector. Which is bullshit, I might add," she said with a smirk.

When Stella stopped speaking, the room was silent for a good two minutes. Stephanie and Ranger were frozen in place. Either this woman was truly a psychic and was giving them a rare glimpse into their past lives or she was a colossal fake, deliberately messing with them.

Ranger found his voice before Stephanie found hers. "Why should we believe any of this?" Just because you know I go by the name Ranger doesn't prove anything. Someone could have given you that information."

"And someone told me Stephanie kissed you last night?" she challenged.

Ranger had no answer for that, but his dark brown eyes were taking in every emotion that crossed Stella's face, every movement of her eyes and hands. Her body language was relaxed and there was no indication she was lying or intentionally messing with them.

Stephanie spoke up then as she crossed her arms over her chest; a sure sign she was not open to believing what Stella was telling them. "If this is all true, why didn't you say something to me when my friend and I came to see you a few years ago?"

Stella held out her hands toward Stephanie, palms up. "You, my dear, were not ready to hear. If I had told you your soul mate was going to meet up with you in a few years, you might have altered the course of your life. You may not have made all the changes you've made to become the competent, successful woman you are today. As it is, this is one of your better lifetimes. The last time you were this happy was when you were the mistress to King Richard III."

Ranger jerked his head to look at Stephanie and Stephanie's eyes were as wide as saucers.

"Just kidding," Stella chuckled merrily. Richard III was a ruthless dickhead. You never would have fallen for him," she said thoughtfully.

Ranger had the eerie feeling Stella was recalling an actual memory and it was difficult to wrap his head around it all. Still, some of what she said rang true to him. Not that he had any memories from past lives, but there was something about Stephanie. The tingle he felt on the back of his neck when they met and when she was near. The way he was drawn to her like no other. The way his feelings for her were almost instantaneous. His need to protect her, the way he felt he'd known her forever. Was it possible?

He focused his attention back on Stella. "Tell me something else you know about me. Something you couldn't know if you weren't psychic."

"You have three loyal companions," she told him. "In this lifetime they call themselves Bobby, Tank and Lester. The three of them are also warriors, though Lester was once a court jester. Bobby was once a judge and later an architect. The four of you have fought many battles together over several lifetimes."

She paused for a moment as though she was trying to determine whether or not she should reveal more. Eventually, she spoke again. "In the 14th century, I was Bobby's mother, but at that time, we lived in Spain and he went by Roberto. You called him, Berto, for short. The three of them will be joining you shortly and you will build a great business together."

Ranger was stunned. He looked at Stephanie who was waiting for him to confirm the information. He gave a barely perceptible nod. "Bobby, Tank, Lester and I served in the Rangers together, he told her. They're waiting for me to contact them about setting up the security business I've been telling you about. There have been times, on missions, when I've referred to him as Berto, but never really knew why I did it."

"You cannot wait any longer to call them," Stella interrupted. "Today's meeting is about more than discussing your past with Stephanie. It's about Pete Saffron. I did a reading on him for my own purposes and that's when I realized you were involved. He knows he's a wanted man and he knows you're coming after him. He's laid a trap for you and without the help of your companions, you and your beautiful soul mate will fall victim to his evil plan. You must not go after him until your friends arrive as backup. You must plan carefully. I will help in any way I can, but I cannot interfere in any physical way. You must listen to me and heed my advice. It's up to you after that. Do I make myself clear?"

Ranger was surprised to feel Stephanie slip her hand into his. He gave it a gentle squeeze and hoped it reassured her a bit. He ran his other hand through his hair and considered his options. Looking Stella squarely in the eye, he said, "I'll put in a call to the guys and let them know they're needed here as soon as possible. In the meantime, Stephanie and I will stay away from Pete and just continue our research and gather as many facts as we can."

Stella smiled widely and said, "Good answer." Then, patting the bun on her head, she said, "I'd like a moment to speak with each of you alone before you go."

Ranger and Stephanie exchanged a do you want to go first look, but Stella interrupted. "Stephanie first."

Ranger gave a slight nod and let himself out of the room to wait in the hallway.

Stella reached across the table and took Stephanie's smooth young hands in her own wrinkled hands. "Listen to me, Stephanie. Let him in to your heart. He is a good man and loves you dearly. Stop fighting what you feel for him. The two of you are always better together than apart."

Stephanie blew at a tendril of hair that was brushing against her cheek. "But I just met him yesterday," she complained.

This caused Stella to chuckle. "No, my dear, you met him 713 years ago. The two of you have spent many lifetimes together. He has never loved another woman."

Stephanie sucked in a breath and choked on her own saliva. She pulled her hands from Stella's to grab a tissue from the box on the table. "Excuse me," she said softly, once she stopped coughing. "In over 700 years, he's never been with another woman?" she asked incredulously.

Stella threw her head back and laughed. "I didn't say he's never been with another woman, silly girl. But, in every lifetime, his soul directs him to seek you out, and when he finds you, he is faithful until death. His soul is wiser and more evolved than yours and he knows what he wants as soon as he finds you. You should be happy and proud as he is one of the most beautiful souls the universe has ever produced, both inside and out."

"Wow," was the only thing Stephanie could think of to say.

"Wow is right," Stella said with a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. Now, wait outside in the hallway and send your handsome man back inside. I need to speak with him."

Stephanie went out to the hallway. "She wants to talk to you now," she whispered.

"Babe, are you okay?"

"Yes, why?"

"Er, you seem a little dazed, is all. And you're whispering."

She swept her eyes from his hair down to his feet as if really seeing him for the first time. Stella was right, he was beautiful. Gorgeous. And kind and smart and funny and ... oh my god, he wanted her - Stephanie Plum. "I'm fine," she said breathlessly, figuring she was probably lying. "Go see her so we can leave."

Ranger leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I'll be right back, Babe."

Back in the room, he took his previous seat across from Stella. "What else did you want to say to me?"

"Be patient with her. Her soul is not as advanced as yours, though I must say, she's making remarkable progress this time around. Still, it confuses her. She likes to spend part of each lifetime living in denial, so she's kind of all over the place this time. She's likely to kiss you one minute and tell you to go away the next."

"Been there, done that," Ranger said with a smirk. "Anything else?"

"Yes, there is one more thing, Carlos."

Ranger looked startled. "How do you know my name is Carlos?"

"As you should have been able to tell by now, I know many things. This is not the first lifetime you've gone by the name of Carlos, however, that's a story for another time.

"Take your woman and keep her safe. Do not allow her to come into contact with Pete Saffron, but do not directly tell her you're keeping them apart. Your soul is advanced enough to cope with changing the future in the short-term. Her soul is not. She will fight you on this if she's aware you're doing it on purpose. You must work out your plans with Bobby, Tank and Lester behind her back and take care of the problem without involving her. You don't remember this right now, Ranger, but in the mid 16th century, he killed her. He tried again a few years ago when she was working as a bounty hunter. He must be taken care of before they have a chance to meet again."

"Should I tell Tank, Bobby and Lester why I need to keep them apart?"

"No, the fewer people who know the details, the better. Now go. We'll speak again once the men have joined you." She reached into the pocket of her long, flowing black skirt and handed him a card with her number. "Call me when the four of you have your plan ready and I'll do another reading to check on the outcome."

A/N - That's it for chapter 6. Hope you liked it. Thanks for following along and for your generous feedback.

Kristine