Standard disclaimer: Not mine, not making any money, just for fun. This story started out as a short challenge response, then grew. Bolded words are prompts from Babe Squad challenges.

Warnings – Some angst, some minor bad language.

LEFT BLANK Part 1

Stephanie knew that time was running out, and yet, day after day, she'd pushed it to the back of her mind. Deny, deny, deny… Her professional skill set may be somewhat limited, but procrastination was a game she was very, very good at.

Still four shopping days till Christmas…

Three…

Two…

One…

Six shopping hours… four…

Aaaargh… what do you get for the man who has everything?

The girls at the bonds office were no help. Lula and Connie had lewdly suggested VS garments, Pleasure Treasure toys and sex games. As much as she wanted him, and wanted him to want her, she didn't want her gift to be about sex. Hell, they weren't even together. Months after finally breaking up with Joe, she still found herself alone.

Ranger had stopped applying 'pressure' as he called it, the sexual tension dissipated, and now they were just close friends. Stephanie knew he didn't want a relationship; she buried her romantic hopes deep down inside, and focused on feeling grateful for his unconditional friendship.

Three hours before the shopping mall closed for Christmas, she found herself browsing absently at the Christmas card kiosk. If she couldn't find a gift, at least she could find a nice card, right? The noise and bustle of the crowded mall faded into the background as she thumbed through the cards, looking for one with the perfect design and perfect message. The cards with angels and shepherds and nativity scenes seemed a bit too heavy on religion. The cards with glittery gold or silver baubles were too gaudy and ostentatious. Would something cheesy or kitsch-y do the trick, like the one with the cartoon reindeer tangled in Christmas lights? Or the one with the verse inside that read, "I wanted to get you something amazing, but all I could afford was this dumb card." She moved to the licensed character section – Snoopy, Sponge Bob, Garfield, Batman, South Park, Tinkerbell… Hang on… Batman?

There was only one Batman card. It was black (of course), with an embossed Batman logo in the bottom corner, adorned with a tiny sprig of holly. Perfect. And the verse inside… nothing. Blank? The label on the back of the card read, "Left blank for your own message." Relieved to at least find a card, Stephanie moved to the register.

"Would you like your message written in calligraphy pen?" asked the salesgirl. She was young and pretty, and despite the undoubtedly long hours she'd been working the kiosk, she was polite and friendly. Huh, who'd have thought there was still some Christmas spirit in the crowded mall? "The calligrapher is finishing up soon but she probably has time to write one more. And it's complimentary too…"

"Uh, I'm not sure what my message will be yet…"

"That's fine, maybe she can suggest something for you."

Stephanie's eye gaze followed the girl's hand as she gestured to the small table in the corner of the kiosk. There was only one person in line. No waiting, so why not?

When she approached the table, the elderly calligrapher looked up at her kindly. "How many cards, dear?" she asked.

"Just one," Stephanie replied. "But, I don't really know…"

"And who is it for?"

"His name is Ranger, and ~"

"Ranger. And is he your boyfriend?"

"Well, actually, his name is Carlos and he's not... We're not… You know what? I think I'll pass on the calligraphy. I'll write in the card later. Thanks," Stephanie took the card back gently and slid it into the paper packet.

"Just write what's in your heart dear, and it will be perfect," said the old woman, with a gentle smile.

"Merry Christmas," said Stephanie as she turned away, and she meant it. Just write what's in your heart dear, and it will be perfect…

LEFT BLANK - Part 2

After almost two more hours of fruitlessly searching for the perfect gift, Stephanie's feet were aching, and her heart was heavy that she still hadn't found something special for Ranger. This year she'd been feeling so proud that her Christmas shopping was done early – a whole week before Christmas in fact. She had presents for her parents, Grandma Mazur, Valerie and the kids, Lula, Connie, Mary Lou, Rex, Dillon the building super, and her favourite Merry Men.

But Ranger, well, she had wanted his gift to be perfect. It had to be within her budget, of course, though she was prepared to max out her meager credit card limit if necessary. But most important, it had to be personal and unique. She had hit every single store in the mall (three times now!), trolled the Internet gift sites, and still come up empty. A year ago, a quick purchase of 'something acceptable' would have assuaged her guilt, and she would have moved on and not given it another thought. Now, somehow, buying something just for the sake of having a gift to give him, didn't feel right. Maybe she was growing up, after all.

She turned towards the mall exit, barely holding in her tears of frustration. Just as she was donning her coat and scarf, and steeling herself for the freezing cold wind of the parking lot, she spotted another Christmas kiosk. A sign strung across the front of the trestle read, "Saint Matthew Christmas Appeal – Charity begins in your home". She had to walk right past to go through the automatic doors, so what would it hurt to take a quick look?

Stephanie forced a smile and turned to make eye contact with the middle aged man who was seated in the crook of the L-bend of the makeshift stall. He sat with a blanket over his knee, and his hands wrapped around a mug of hot chocolate. "Merry Christmas," she said, willing some enthusiasm into her voice. "Merry Christmas, love," he replied. There wasn't really a lot left on the table – some table decorations with candles and holly, some scented sachets, a few potted poinsettias, a door wreath, and… something towards the back caught her eye.

She pointed. "Is that real?" she started to inquire. It was kind of small, so she couldn't be sure.

"Sure is, and it wouldn't be Christmas without it, would it?" the man grinned.

"Could I have that little box too?"

"Why not?"

"I'll take it." Stephanie wasn't sure exactly what she'd do with it, but a small plan started to form in her mind. She paid for her purchase, added a few extra coins to the donation box, and placed the little box in her bag.

LEFT BLANK Part 3

The drive home was nothing short of horrendous. The snow was building up and Christmas Eve traffic was enough to try the patience of a saint. Patience was something that Stephanie definitely lacked. "What? Who said that this is the most wonderful time of the year?" Stephanie's mind wandered, even as she tried to keep her attention on the road.

When, at last, she pulled her tired old blue Navajo into a parking spot at her apartment, she breathed a sigh of relief. She got out of the car and opened the passenger side to pick up her shopping bag. As she was locking up, her cell phone started to ring. The Batman theme!

"Yo," she answered. She pushed her way inside and moved to the elevator.

Ranger laughed. "You're home, Babe?"

"You know I am. Just about to walk inside," she said. Batman always tracked her car or her cell, and she knew it. And he knew that she knew it.

"Just making sure you're safe, I hear it's hell on the roads."

"Thanks Ranger. It is. Hey, uh," she hesitated. "Have you eaten yet? I'm going to call for Chinese takeaway. And I'm making eggnog. And I ~" she hesitated again. "I'vegotaChristmasgiftforyou," she finished quickly. Sort of.

"Can't Babe. Got plans."

Oh. "Ummm, maybe I can drop it round to your apartment later?"

"Babe, don't do that. It's freezing out. I'll see you sometime tomorrow." Click.

"Uh, okay. I ~" You think I'd be used to Ranger and his phone manners by now.

She pressed '1' on her speed dial to call him straight back.

"Leave a message…" Oh. Message bank.

"Merry Christmas Ranger."

LEFT BLANK - Part 4

Stephanie was exhausted from her not-quite-total-failure of a shopping trip, and finally noticed how hungry she was feeling. Thank God for her mother's leftover pot roast, and the small box of Christmas gingerbread cookies on the benchtop, a gift from Mrs Bestler. As she ate, Stephanie felt her lingering loneliness and disappointment seep into her thoughts and start to invade her internal dialogue. He didn't even wish me Merry Christmas.

Absently, she picked up the television remote and started to channel surf. She stared at the images moving across the screen, not really watching. Who wants to go out in this weather anyway? It's a cold winter night. Ranger was right. It is freezing outside. My coat is still wet from earlier.

The wind rattled the glass pane of the kitchen window. Stephanie got up to turn the radiator on, wishing she had a real fireplace. Or some company to share a little body heat. I wonder what he's doing tonight? Probably working late so some of the guys can have the night off.

But, he said he'll see me tomorrow. Christmas Day. Much more meaningful than Christmas Eve.

She contemplated making the eggnog. Eggnog for one? Too depressing, and I need a clear head to write in the card. She made herself a hot chocolate instead, and sat down to ponder on her Christmas message for Ranger.

The elderly calligrapher's words came back to her. "Just write what's in your heart dear, and it will be perfect." Stephanie removed the card from its plain brown paper packet, and took a closer look at it. The embossed logo on the front was subtle, but elegant. The holly motif added just a touch of colour, with its symmetrical, spiky green leaves and tiny red berries. She turned it over. It was plain black on the back. The protective cellophane wrapper had a white printed label adhered to it. "Left blank for your own message." Yep, like I needed reminding.

Not trusting herself to get it right, Stephanie started her first draft on the brown paper packet. Five words in, and already she was already scratching out words and re-writing. The paper was filling up fast, and before long she had used every available space on both sides of the packet. The final draft looked promising. Not perfect, but it did feel natural and flowing, and captured what she wanted to say.

Rummaging through her pocketbook, she located her best pen, and started to copy the final draft onto the card.

"Dear Ranger,"

LEFT BLANK - Part 5

As she signed her name on the card, Stephanie felt the overwhelming need to give Ranger her gift, tonight.

She headed for the bathroom, and broke all previous Stephanie Plum speed records in showering and beautification rituals. In under 40 minutes she was squeaky clean, dry, hair-free in all the right places, and standing in her bedroom contemplating her wardrobe selection. Not too dressy or slutty or obviously attention-grabbing. Not too frumpy or couldn't-care-less.

Eventually she chose a pair of black hipster trousers, a snug-fitting sapphire blue v-neck sweater, and black leather ankle boots with a modest two-inch heel. She dried her hair and fixed it into a loose up-style, and added the final touches to her eye makeup. Basic hoop earrings and plain gold chain. Keep it simple, Stephanie. No time for Jersey Girl excess tonight.

Picking up her pocketbook, she carefully slipped the card inside next to the little box. Next, she put on her coat and scarf, and headed for the door. As an afterthought, she ran back to the kitchen, rummaged through the second drawer, and grabbed a roll of cellophane tape, tucking it into her coat pocket with her cell phone.

The drive across to Rangeman was quicker than Stephanie expected. It was still freezing cold, wet and windy, but the snow had eased and the traffic flow was back to Trenton-normal. She pulled into the undercover garage and noticed Ranger's Cayenne was there but several of the Rangeman black Explorers were out. She got out of the SUV carefully so she wouldn't catch her coat on the door, and walked across to the elevator. She smiled at the security camera, wondering who was on monitor duty.

Stopping off at Five, she found Cal at the monitors.

"Busy night?"

"Hey Steph. Nah, a few false alarms on the northside, probably a power outage triggered by the winter storm earlier. All quiet now though," he answered. "What's up, sweetie?"

"Uh, I came to drop off Ranger's gift. When's he due back in?"

"Steph, he's not working tonight. He's been offline since this morning. I've just started my shift, but Bobby said he's on Six sorting something with Ella. Probably our surprise Christmas lunch," he said with a wink.

Oh. Ranger's offline? "Oh, okay. I'll pop up to Seven and wait there. Merry Christmas, Cal."

"No worries sweetie. Happy Christmas." He turned back to the monitors.

As Stephanie took the elevator up to the seventh floor, she started to feel giant butterflies taking flight in her stomach. The elevator stopped with a discreet 'ding' and Stephanie stood in front of Ranger's apartment, suddenly nervous about her gift choice and what Ranger's response would be. She took a deep breath, and let herself in with her personal fob.

LEFT BLANK - Part 6

Stephanie pushed the door open slowly, and was about to call Ranger's name quietly, when she heard music. Classical music. She recognized the tune, but couldn't quite place the name… something by Bach? Christmas carols? She hung her coat and scarf in the entryway, and stepped into the living room.

There was something about Ranger's apartment that always made Stephanie feel at ease. On her first visit, it had seemed a bit too masculine and impersonal, with its modern leather furnishings and monochromatic décor. But on subsequent visits, she had begun to notice small traces of Ranger ~ a book on its side, bookmark in place, a whiskey decanter three-quarters full. Still no photographs though, she noted as she glanced around.

Tonight, though, the room felt particularly welcoming. In the corner stood a beautiful Christmas tree, with thick green needles and soft, twinkling lights. Stephanie was mesmerized. There were no gifts under the tree, but her eyes were drawn to a porcelain angel on the very top of the tree, with a serene face and silver halo. The intoxicating classical music washed over her and she lost herself in the moment.

She pulled her eyes away, and looked around the familiar room. Was it really more than two months since she had last visited? The chrome table lamp is gone. In its place she noticed a bowl of floating tea lights. There were a dozen or more tea lights placed elsewhere around the room too, in small glass holders. The candles were unlit. Two on the kitchen bench top, four on a platter on the dining table, more on the sideboard, and on the coffee table. On the low timber coffee table near the double sofa, she also noticed a bottle of red wine and two wine glasses. The bottle was uncorked, set aside to breathe while…

Suddenly, something didn't feel right. This was an atmosphere of warmth, calm, and… romance?

A sliver of light escaped from under Ranger's bedroom door. He's home? The door opened slightly, and Ranger's voice called out, "You're early." He stepped out of his room, zipping a pair of black dress trousers. "I'm not quite ~" He looked up. "Babe?"

Stephanie's earlier butterflies came to a screaming halt, and crashed into the pit of her stomach. Her throat caught and her eyes fixed upon his smooth, bare mocha latte chest, broad shoulders, and the tiny drops of water escaping from his damp hair down his ripped torso. Ranger was pure male and ~

"What are you doing here, Babe?"

Stephanie shook her head. She felt like an intruder, an uninvited guest. I AM an intruder. I wasn't invited here tonight. "I… I'm sorry, I just ~" she stammered.

She felt a wave of emotion hit the back of her eyes, followed closely by the salty sting of tears. "I should have called first. I'm sorry. I didn't know you were expecting company." Feminine company. A date. With wine, candles and romantic music. "It's Christmas Eve and I just wanted ~" The words wouldn't come.

Stephanie looked up at Ranger. His eyes darkened. "Babe, you don't ~"

"I know, Ranger, you don't need to say it. I breached your privacy and there's no excuse. It's just, umm," she started. "I've still got your fob and you never asked for it back and I thought…" She summoned all of her strength and looked him in the eyes. She saw no emotion there.Her voice cracked as she said, "It will never happen again."

She turned and moved towards the door, failing to rein back the tears that blurred her vision. Don't let him see me cry. As she grabbed her car keys, she knocked her pocketbook to the floor, spilling the contents in the entryway. Awkwardly, she swept her hands over the floor, pushing the items back inside her bag.

"Babe, let me ~"

"Don't, Ranger. I'm sorry I intruded. I almost ruined your evening. I can't ..." I can't breathe. I need to leave. Don't let him see me cry.

Stephanie stood and ran for the elevator, her pocketbook firmly shut now. The sound of classical music was still ringing in her ears as the tears fell from her eyes and flowed down her cheeks.