A/N: Character thoughts in italics. I forgot to thank Susan for proofing chapter 7 for me, so a great big Thank You goes out for that one and this chapter. Also, thank you so much for continuing to read my story. For all of you that are following or have favorited Sparking, I wanted to let you know that I have been dealing with an unexpected health care emergency with my mother that has kept me pretty tied up. Things are still not resolved yet, but I am hopeful that all will be settled soon. I had this chapter partially written before things went south, but am pretty sure that until all of the mama drama stops, the updates may be a bit farther apart. Please be patient with me – I am enjoying writing this way too much to stop, but need the time to let it come out of my brain. All recognizable characters belong to Janet; everything else including mistakes are completely mine.

Chapter 8

Stephanie felt like she'd been sucked into The Ranger Manoso Show. She paused and felt the comforting lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub pull her towards an unfolding scene in front of her. She closed her eyes, then opened them to look around at the small living room where she was currently laying on the overstuffed couch with her tube-socked feet propped up above her. She became aware of a throbbing pain on her right cheek. Reaching up to touch it, she hissed with pain as she felt the swollen flesh surrounding it and her right eye.

"Here. Put this on it. It will help with the swelling and bruising, Carlito." Steph turned to see Abuela shake her head in exasperation as she gently laid a bag of frozen peas against her injured face.

"Lift up." Stephanie did as directed. Abuela sat down at the end of the couch then gently guided Steph's head to her lap and helped hold the bag of peas against her face. Steph closed her eyes as she felt all of the love and the warmth of finally being accepted well up inside her. He loves her so much, she thought. Abuela's weathered hands gently smoothed over Steph's hair and gently rubbed her temples, causing her to relax and almost fall asleep.

She heard Abuela softly say, "Fighting to prove yourself is never the answer, my boy. You cannot force something to happen, no matter how much you wish it." Abuela's fingers continued to gently stroke her hair, much like that of a cat.

Steph felt herself let out a long, drawn out sigh. Who knew he could out-sigh me? Huh. I bet he used to roll his eyes too. "Lester hit on Anita while I went to get drinks for us. He needed to learn that what's mine is off limits."

Abuela's hand stilled momentarily. "I see. So why is it you had to have your cousin pull the girl off of you before she gave you a fat lip too, huh?" She gently resumed rubbing Steph's temples and hair.

Steph felt herself mumble "Because she didn't want to be with me, she wanted to go with Lester to the dance. She took exception when I pulled him off of her." She felt her whole disposition begin to sour with that thought and jealousy laced angst like she never felt lanced through her. "It's not right, Abuela. I thought that Anita and I –" she cleared her throat. "I thought we were meant to be. She went with me to the dance, not Lester. He had no right to take her from me. He kissed her, right there in front of me and she let him!" Steph's heart lurched with pain.

That little skank broke his heart! For the love of God, for Lester? I'm going to kick Les' ass for this as soon as I can.

Abuela made a tsking sound in reply. "Carlito, you are not even fifteen years old yet. The one that your heart is meant for is waiting for you to finish growing and become a man of honor with a fearless heart filled with courage. This is just a stepping stone for you to get to her. When it is right, you will not have to fight for her, she will willingly come to you because there will be no other option but for her to love you as you will love her. Be patient, my boy. And no more fighting. You are not too old to be turned over this old woman's knee, you know." Stretching like a cat, Steph turned her head towards Abuela's hand, and felt a peaceful sense of love and contentment resurface as she closed her eyes.

xxxx

She felt herself tumbling. She saw Christmas through nine year old Ranger's eyes as he eagerly awaited with his siblings for Mami to make her special Christmas pancakes filled with pecans and loaded with warm melting cinnamon butter that swam in real maple syrup. She could smell bacon and ham Mami had sizzling on the stove top and her mouth watered.

Well, he didn't eat rabbit food when he was a kid. Looks like someone has a weakness for pecan pancakes.

The scene shifted. Now she was running on a playground filled with other small children. The carefree exuberance that flowed through her made her want to throw her head back and laugh. "You can't catch me!" she shouted over her shoulder as the other seven year olds also ran from being tagged out. She stubbed her foot on an uneven spot in the ground and tumbled, hitting her chin on the concrete.

Stephanie winced inwardly as sharp pain shot through her chin. She tried valiantly to hold back the tears that threatened to fall as the playground monitor ran over to her. "Carlos, let me see." The woman gently helped Steph up and examined her face. She gave a low whistle. "That's going to need some attention young man. Let's go call your mother and get you taken care of."

As she took the monitor's hand, the scenes began to shift more rapidly, bringing snatches of thoughts and feelings that just felt so real to Stephanie.

Sitting in the fall afternoon on the front stoop of Abuela's house enjoying the sun on her face.

Riding in the backseat with Lester and some of his amigos, feeling desperately the need to fit in.

The thrill of sneaking a pack of cigarettes out of the local gas station.

Feeling like puking after taking a long drag off of his first cigarette, trying not to lose face.

Feeling overwhelming embarrassment when the uncontrolled coughing fit started, and the taunting laughter started.

Sneaking in the girl's locker room and watching them change for gym class, then trying to figure out how to get out without being caught.

Feeling like being the third wheel. Never quite good enough. Being on the outside looking in. Feeling the need to be best. Feeling the overwhelming need to just. Be. More.

Not liking how these emotions and feelings where making her feel, Steph began fighting to distance herself from them. She tried to think about Rex. She tried to think about Grandma Mazur. Still, the unpleasant emotions and snatches of dreams that she didn't remember but felt like she was remembering kept inundating her.

She became aware of alarms beeping and of a large warm hand grasping hers. She could hear a familiar deep baritone voice getting closer and closer to her calling her name, telling her to open her eyes. That's Tank. What's he doing in my dreams now? She began to feel intense discomfort again – her leg and chest were killing her. Aggravated for being woken up from such a unique dream, she turned her head away from the noise, and mumbled, "Shut up and let me sleep!"

She didn't expect loud booming laughter to surround her, which caused her to turn her head back and inwardly wince at the dull pain that generated. Forcing her eyes open to the glaring light, she attempted to give the source of her aggravation her patented glare.

xxxxx

-tbc-