As the Lone Star Turns

Part 4

 

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This is a soap opera type story based on the characters from Walker Texas Ranger.  Most of the characters belong to CBS and Norris Productions and we are really only borrowing them for the summer to help us all with the long wait until the next season.  The other characters introduced are our friends who are HUGE fans of Walker and the gang.  We mean no disrespect just wanted to do something completely different.  Hopefully you will all enjoy this story….and we will be sending it out throughout the summer as we get more written and edited….hopefully it takes all summer to get this done and keeps you all entertained…

 

[email protected]

 

[email protected]

 

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Walker sat at his desk trying to do his paperwork but his mind wouldn’t cooperate. Instead his thoughts kept returning to the night before.  All he could do was picture Crystal on CD’s arm. Since the moment their eyes had met, that first time so many months ago, he had dreamt of being with her.  Now the dreams were shattered and only a faded memory.

       As Walker’s thoughts continued to play back over the previous night the memories only got worse as they led him to Alex’s apartment. He had been so grief stricken and had wanted to go home but unsure how he would escape without seeming rude.  Alex had been the perfect excuse, she had been drunk and he not having the RAM offered to take her home. His plan was to take her home and then ask to borrow her car and return it in the morning.  Once to her apartment she had asked him inside and against his better judgment had accepted a cup of coffee.

       That’s when everything went blank.  Then that morning he had waken up in Alex’s queen sized bed with his arms around her, the only thing covering their nakedness was the thin white sheet. He had moved outward slowly and getting dressed he had left without another word.  Since then he hadn’t heard nor seen Alex and he wondered if all it had taken for her to leave him alone was one night together. 

       Walker really didn’t care anymore his heart belonged to Crystal and knowing they would never be together life had become mundane.  He would somehow find a way to continue on without the wonderful woman who had entered his life only a few short months ago.  Now he would consume his life with work and helping Sydney hoping that would be enough to forget her.

 

 

 

      

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        A few days before the transplant is to take place Walker and Sydney go into the hospital for more preliminary tests. Walker has finished with his tests but decides to stay and talk to Sydney for a while since she still has one more test to go.

   "So how are you feeling?" Walker asks

   "I'm fine, just a little nervous."

   "I'm sure everything will work with no problems."

   "I hope so. Walker I don't know how I can ever thank you for doing this for me."

   "There is no reason to thank me, Sydney. Just get well as soon as possible. We need you back at work" the bearded ranger said smiling.

   "I'm ready to get back." There was a brief pause and then Sydney said, So tell me about how you used to know my mother. I asked Mom about it. But she said she was tired last night."

   "Well…." Walker began unsure of just what or how much to tell Sydney about his long ago relationship with her mother. "I came met her just before I was getting ready to ship out to Vietnam. She was working in a restaurant that I liked to eat at."

   "Oh yes my grandparents owned it" Sydney interrupted.

   "Yes, I think I do remember something like that." Walker fibbed a little. He remembered perfectly well that Kathy's parents owned the restaurant. "Anyway I went in there a lot and we got to be friends."

   And??? Sydney questioned.

   "That's pretty much all there is to it." He wasn't about to tell her that he and her mother had lost their virginity to each other. She must have married Aaron almost right after that and then you must have been born 9 months later." He said, mentally doing the math in his head, figuring quickly the date he left for Vietnam and Sydney's birthday. He remembered Sydney's birthday because she had just recently had one.

   "Well no actually my mom didn't marry my dad until I was five years old. Then he adopted me. My biological father was killed in action in Vietnam."

   "Really? I had no idea. You never mentioned that" Walker said surprised.

   "I guess it just never came up. I don't really think too much about it, since I never knew my father. When I was younger I asked Mom about him a few times. But she has never wanted to talk much about him. I think the whole thing is just too painful for her. So I stopped asking."

   Just then the nurse came into the room. "Miss Cooke, your father will need to leave now. We need to take you down to the other lab."

   "My father? He's not my father."

   "Oh I'm sorry I just assumed because…"she said as she glanced down at Sydney's chart. Oh well never mind."

 

  

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        Walker sat on his front porch he began to replay in his mind the conversation that he and Sydney had earlier that day. He had naturally assumed that Aaron was Syd's biological father. She did after all have his last name and she called him Dad. He had been very surprised to find out what he had assumed was not true.

   "Who is Sydney's father then?" He said out loud. He began to go over the series of events that occurred in the weeks prior to him leaving for Vietnam. "I left for Vietnam in late Aug. 1968. Sydney was born May 1969. Her father must have been at the base the same time that I was. I wonder if I knew him? He and Kathy had to have gotten together almost immediately after I shipped out. Either that or she was seeing someone else at the same time." The thought that she might have been involved with another man so soon after he left was painful. But even more painful was the thought that she might have been seeing someone else at the same time. "Could I have been so wrong about her and what we meant to each other?" He thought. They had made so many plans for when he returned. Kathy was Walker's first love. He had been devastated when her letters were returned to him unopened. He then recalled the other letter that he got, the letter from Kathy's parents. He could still remember how it hurt to read what it said. They told him under no circumstances was he to have any contact with their daughter. The letter pointed out that he was 21 and Kathy was only 17 and therefore a minor. Walker knew exactly what was being implied would happen if he had farther contact with her. Walker had found comfort in the fact that his tour would end in 3 years and Kathy would be 20 by then. So her parents would have no say in their relationship. Then they could finally have the life together that they had dreamed about in the brief time that they spent together.

   He planned to find Kathy and marry her immediately on his return to the states. He moved up the ranks incredibly quickly. Everyone was surprised just how quickly. He was the youngest captain in the history of the Marine Corps. However the war took its toll on him. He was not the same person he was before he left. He suffered tremendous mental anguish over seeing the horrors of war. It took a long time and a lot of help from his Uncle Ray and White Eagle before he felt normal and sane again. By then though it was too late. Kathy had moved away and he could not find her. He finally decided that it was for the best. She would be better off without him. But he would always treasure his memories of their time together.

   Now though he wasn't sure what to think. "Could I have been so wrong about us and about her feelings for me?" He agonized once again. The sound of a car driving up brought him out of his reverie. Walker was glad to see the car belonged to Trivette. He was worried it might have been Alex. When Walker goes in the kitchen to get them some iced tea, Trivette stops in the living room and picks up the box of pictures that Walker had been looking at earlier. He glances through the ones of Walker in the Marines and a few of him on the reservation as a teenager. Then one in particular catches his attention. "Hey Walker who is this?" He asks as his partner reenters the room.

   "Oh that's my grandmother, my father's mother."

   "Wow she's a dead ringer for Sydney." Trivette said amazed.

   Walker looked closer at the picture. He had always thought Sydney reminded him of someone. But he could never place exactly who. "Yeah she sure does.."

 

         "Well they say we all have a double somewhere" Trivette responded with a shrug of his shoulders. He took a sip of the tea that Walker had just given him and reached into his jacket pocket. He handed Walker his pay stub. "I just wanted to drop this by. Since you left early today and didn't get a chance to pick it up."

   "Thanks Trivette"

   "You're welcome. How did the test go at the hospital this afternoon?"

   "Fine, they decided to go ahead with the transplant in the morning."

   "Oh I thought they weren't going to do it until later in the week."

   "That was the original plan. But they decided to move it up."

   "OK I hope it all goes well. Tammy and I will stop by the hospital tomorrow afternoon to check on you guys."

   "Well I may not be there. I will probably be released a few hours after they remove my marrow."

   "OK well we'll go see Sydney and if you've already been released we'll stop by here."

          "That sounds good." Walker answered with a sight smile. "How are things with you and Tammy anyway?"

   Trivette got a big grin on his face. "They couldn't be better. Walker I didn't know it was possible to be this happy. She is an extraordinary woman.  I hope you find somebody someday that will make you as happy as she makes me."

   "Yeah, whatever… I'm glad things are going so well for you. Thanks for dropping this off." He said pointing to his pay stub.

   After Trivette left Walker went back over to the box of pictures and picked up the one of his grandmother again. Shaking his head he thought 'he's right Sydney does look just like her. How strange'

 

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   Kathy and Aaron arrived at the hospital early to be with Sydney the morning of her transplant.

   "How are you feeling?" Aaron asked as they entered the room.

   "Nervous, but glad that it's finally happening."

   "Everything is going to be fine. I'm sure of it." Kathy said bending down to hug her daughter.

   "Would you guys do me a favor?" Sydney asked.

   "Sure what" they both said almost at the same time.

   "Go check on Walker. He doesn't have any family. And he has already had his marrow removed earlier this morning."

   Kathy still wanted to avoid Walker as much as possible. So she said "But we don't want to leave you. I'm sure he's fine. There isn't that much to having marrow removed, at least not compared to what you are going to have to go though."

   Aaron realizing what his wife was trying to do and annoyed by it said, "Sydney doesn't need to be worrying about Walker or anything else right now. I'll stay with her and you go and check on Walker, like she asked."

 

       Well Okay" Kathy responded, knowing she really couldn't argue about it. “What room is he in?"

   "1441"

 

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   "Come in." Walker called after Kathy knocked on the door of his hospital room.

   "Hi, how are you feeling?" She said walking over to his bedside.

   "Oh I'm alright. Just a little sore. How's Sydney?"

   "She is nervous. But it's not much longer now and then she'll be going into the O.R."

   "That's good." He responded. There were a few moments of awkward silence between them. Can it really have been over 30 years? Walker thought as he looked at her. She sure hasn't changed much.

   Kathy's thoughts mirrored Walker's. It only seems like yesterday that we were together. Her heart almost skipped a beat looking at him and remembering how he made her feel all those years ago.

   "How are YOU doing?" Walker asked finally breaking the silence. "I know you must be worried.

   " I'm very anxious about…ah… everything. But I'm sure it will be all right. I'm glad you were able to help her." She said smiling. After a moment she added. "Well I guess I had better be going. They will be coming for Sydney anytime now, and I'd like to be there when she leaves."

   "Kathy?" Walker said catching her hand as she turned to go.

   "Yes" she said looking into his eyes.

   "Ah..Oh nothing…never mind. Just let me know how Sydney is as soon as you can."

   "I will," she said holding his hand for just a few seconds longer.

 

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   Kathy and Aaron were taking turns pacing in Sydney's hospital room as C.D. entered. "Hello, you must be Sydney's folks. I'm a friend of hers, C.D. Parker." He said extending his hand.

   "Yes I think we have heard Sydney speak of you." Aaron said.

   "Any news yet?" C.D. asked

   "No not yet. But we should hear something anytime now" Kathy answered. Just then almost as if on cue Dr. Lisa Woolley entered the room.

 

          "Hello, I'm Dr. Wooley." Pausing an extra moment to smile at C.D. "I just wanted to let you everything went well with the transplant. Sydney is in recovery and should be brought up within the hour."

   "Oh that's a relief." Kathy said smiling at Aaron.

   "Thank-you for coming to tell us." Aaron said as he put his arm around his wife.

   "Well I have another patient to check on so I'd better be going." Lisa said smiling at C.D. as she left.

   "They sure are making some fine looking lady doctors these days" C.D. said under his breath.

 

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“CC, can you come here for a minute?” Alex asked stepping out into the foyer of her office.

       “Yeah just a minute.” Putting the finishing touches on the paperwork she put it in the proper basket.  Her thoughts raced with questions of what Alex might want.  Closing the folders and reorganizing her desk she rose and entered the elaborate office.

       “Yes.”

       “CC, I need you to courier these files to Houston for me.  The Ranges caught and escapee and he is being extradited.” Alex handed the papers across the desk and CC puked them up placing them in her lap. She really wasn’t happy about having to go down to Houston; the temperature was hot enough in Dallas. Now she was being sent even farther south. AS she continued in her thoughts she nearly missed what Alex was saying next.

       “Ranger Gage will be assisting you.” The words were music to her ears. CC couldn’t believe it she was going to be spending the next two days with Gage.  Suddenly a smile crept on her face as she stood.  “When do we leave?”

       “Go home and get a few things packed.  You are meeting Gage back here in 90 minutes.”

       “All right.” Turning CC briskly left the dim office and headed for the sunny outdoors.  The sticky humidity didn’t seem to faze her as she headed towards her and car and headed home.  She was going to be with Gage it was truly a dream come true.

 

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“Walker, I’ve got good news.” Trivette said rushing into his room at the hospital.  “We found the RAM.” The younger ranger was thrilled to see the smile the found its way to his partners face.  The past couple days had been tough on him and he knew it was more than just the fact that his truck had disappeared.  He suspected that it had something to do with the fact that CD was engaged to Crystal.  Never before had he seen his partner fall for someone like he had for Crystal and he wasn’t sure how long it would be until he got over it.  He had hoped that finding the truck would alleviate some of the pain.

       “Where did you find it?”

       “Over on Old Dixie Lane.  The lady who took was just sleeping in the back as if it were her own.  We are having her checked out when we took her away she kept talking about some Henry.  Right now she’s in a holding cell down at County.”

       “How is the truck?”

       “Perfect, not a scratch on it.” The two continued to talk about the truck and Trivette inquired about how Walker’s surgery had gone and how Sydney was doing.  Before long though a knock came on the door and Crystal popped her head in.  She needed to get to the office but instead had decided to stop at the hospital for a moment to check on Walker and somehow find a way to tell him that things weren’t, as they seemed.

       “Hi,” she said stepping into the room as Trivette rose. “I just stopped to see how you are doing.”

       “I think I’ll head out,” Trivette said grabbing his hat and heading towards the door allowing his partner a few minutes alone with the woman he was in love with. “Nice to see you again Crystal.” He said as he opened the door and headed out.  He could only think about how happy he was that he had the love of his life with him and that they were getting married.  He had spent way too many years as a bachelor and it was time for him to settle down. 

 

       “How are you feeling?” Crystal asked sitting in the chair that Trivette had occupied only moments earlier.

       “I’m doing all right. A little sore but other than fine.”

       “That’s good.” As he spoke the words he found he wasn’t able to look at her.  He had fallen in love with her the minute he had met her and now knowing he would never hold her in his arms and that they would never take the moonlit walks he had dreamt of tore him up inside. 

       The silence hung in the air as they both searched for the words to express the thoughts that were coursing through their heads.  Finally Crystal found the courage to speak “Walker, I’m so sorry…I wish….I want to tell you…” She was having trouble putting her words together to tell him how she felt without telling him everything. “Walker…”
       “Cordell...”

       “What?”

       “Please call me Cordell…”

       “All right.  Cordell…please remember things aren’t what they seem.  I can’t explain anything more than that…” She stopped not wanting to keep going with her thoughts for fear she would tell him her true feelings about him and even though her case was nearly over she didn’t want the truth to come out about her job.  “I need to go.” As she rose Walker grabbed her hand stopping her and she looked down at him.  She could see the pain that reflected from her eyes into his and knew that he was as torn as she was. 

       “Don’t go…” Walker said his voice barely a whisper as he tried to entice her to sit with him.  He was afraid if she left he would never have the courage to tell her what he needed to get off his chest.       

       “I have to go…” Unable to control her emotions further her eyes began to tear and she knew she needed to remover herself from the situation before she broke down in front of the man that had stolen her heart.

       “Crystal, I love you…”

       “I….I love you too…but…I have to go…” Breaking away from his grasp she ran from the room.  Walker watched as she ran from the room and he wished he had the strength to go after her.  Laying his head back against the pillow he breathed in deeply out of defeat. 

 

       Rushing down the hallway Crystal wasn’t sure where she was going she just had to get away.  Her heart was pounding in her chest and she wished she could return to his room and tell him how very much she loved him.  Every part of her body wanted to return and wrap her arms around his muscular frame and hold him telling him that everything was going to be all right.  As she collected herself she left the hospital knowing that the case would have to be solved soon or else she would run the risk of losing him forever. 

      

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       “All right, all right!” The woman said as the guard led her down the narrow hallway and to her new home for the time being.  As he opened the door she walked inside and found it already occupied by two other woman. 

       “Hi,” One of them said as she stood against the bars.  She was unsure of her surroundings and even unsure of the two women standing before her. 

       “Hi.” She responded noting that they looked just as frightened as she felt. 

       “What’s your name?” The same one asked sitting up on the narrow bunk that was suspended from the wall.

       “Michelle, but my friends all call me Froggie. How about you?”     

       “I’m Mimi and this is my friend Jamie. What did you do?”       

       “Would you believe stole a truck? It wasn’t just any truck either it was a Dodge RAM and I guess it belonged to a Texas Ranger…guess that is why they were so upset when they found me.  I only wanted to borrow it….I named it Henry.  What about you two?”

       “Well we’re in here for unruly conduct…I think that’s what they called it.” The once silent Jamie said from her place on the higher bunk.

       “Really?”

       “Yeah, it seems we were making too much noise in the street.” Mimi continued.  “Would you believe they don’t’ like it when you run through the streets of Dallas screaming, I mean all we did was come down here for a convention for our favorite show…you know Walker Texas Ranger?” Without waiting for a response Mimi continued, “Well we were all watching it and Jamie and I decided we needed to get some fresh air and we came down and started running through the streets even chased a couple Dodge RAMS ourselves…anyway…after about fifteen minutes two cops came and arrested us and we are waiting to be released.”

       “Wow, sounds pretty intense.” The three continued talking and within a couple of hours when the guards came to release Jamie and Mimi a bond had been formed between them.  After exchanging numbers and addresses “Froggie” was sad to see them leave but she knew that one day they would see each other again.

 

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   Several hours later Sydney lay in her hospital bed as Gage slightly cracked the door. Thinking she was sleeping he started to back away and leave. Then he heard a weaker than usual voice say. "I'm awake."

   So he entered the room. "How are you feeling?"

       "I'm Okay, just really tired."

          "Well I'm not going to stay long. I just wanted to drop by and check on you. I'm going to have to go out of town for Houston. I hate to have to leave you now. But I really don't have a choice."

   "Don't worry, I'm fine. Is anyone from the DA's office going with you? She asked hoping for the answer that she wanted to hear.

   "Yes C.C. is."

   Sydney had been trying to convince Gage for months to give up the obsession he seemed to have for Alex and seek out C.C.

   "Syd I have to say I think I'm starting to agree with you about C.C. I ran into her the other night at Emilio's. We had a nice conversation."

   "Good it's about time."

   "Well don't get your hopes up yet. We just had one dinner together."

          "Okay whatever you say." Sydney said but thinking to herself that there was definitely going to be a future for Gage and C.C.

 

 

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“Okay…here is what we have so far.” Crystal said as her and Tammy sat down opposite Lee and Amanda at the conference table.  Together they pulled out pictures and reports that they hoped were the beginning of the end to their case. 

       “This is Elaine Portugal, a few years ago she met up with Mr. Parker when she was being investigated by the Texas Rangers. At the time she was working as an accountant for a local church helping out with their bingo games.  Her boss was smuggling drug money and she was put into protective custody.  After the ordeal it appears her and Mr. Parker discussed writing a book or something about their adventures during the case.” Tammy paused allowing her bosses to look over their reports.  They had been doing a lot of footwork over the past couple of days trying to put an end to the case and Crystal’s phony engagement. 

       “It appears that she is putting money into his account.  The reason it took us awhile to track it down is because of the way she has been transferring it.” Crystal had taken over the tale as she tried to speed up their debriefing and get back out into the field.  The only thing they had left to do was talk to Ms. Portugal and then she had to break the news to CD.  She wasn’t sure what was going to be tougher. 

       “See Ms. Portugal has been depositing money into an account here in Dallas and then that money is transferred overseas to Switzerland and then to the Bahamas where it sits idle for an average of 10 days until it is transferred back to Switzerland into a different account and then back here to Mr. Parker’s account.  I have been looking through Mr. Parker’s apartment trying to find any deposit slips or any knowledge of this money and so far I haven’t been able to find any documentation that he knows this is even going on.” Crystal finished with her report and sat back in her chair. Looking over at her bosses she wasn’t sure what they were thinking and could only hope that they would consider their assignment nearly over.

       “Great job, Tammy I want you to interview Mr. Parker and Crystal you go talk to this Ms. Portugal and see what she has to say.  I think we can get this wrapped up by tonight or tomorrow as long as we can prove that this is innocent which it very well sounds like.  So I plan on seeing the both of you in here at 7:00 tomorrow morning. That’s all.” Lee and Amanda gathered up their material and walked out of the conference room. 

       “Well that wasn’t too bad.” Tammy said as she placed her items back into the folder and signed heavily thinking of the early morning deadline they had.

“No not too bad at all.  I think Lee is right I don’t think there is anything illegal going on here but we need to finish this all up before we can make sure.”

“Right.  I’m going to get going and find CD before the bar gets too busy and talk to him.  I’ll call you when I find something out.” 

“Okay. I think I’m going to go home and rest for a little bit before I head on over to see Ms. Portugal.”

‘Late night last night with the new fiancée?” Tammy asked getting a glare from her partner.

“Don’t even ask about that.  I still have to figure out how to tell the poor man that we can’t get married. He really is a good guy.”

“Is that what kept you up late last night or were you pining away over Walker? You know after this is allover there is still a chance for you two…” Tammy said as they walked out the double doors and headed towards the elevator.

“We shall see.  I have a feeling he’s not going to want to date the ex-fiancée of his former partner and good friend.”  Together they headed up in the elevator and to the parking garage where they each got into the respective cars and headed out. 

 

 

 

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“All right here we are.” Gage said as he parked the car in front of the hotel.  CC made her way to the trunk and she felt the humidity stick to her.  The sun bore down on them and reflected off the pavement.  She stood next to Gage as he grabbed the luggage and then they made their way to their room.

       “Here let me get the door.” CC said taking the key from Gage’s hand. As they entered the room a waft of cold air welcomed them. 

       “You know I’m sorry about the accommodations, I tried to get two rooms but this was all they had.” Looking around the room CC noted the lone double bed.  She knew it was only one night but she wasn’t really sure how she felt with the sleeping arrangements. 

       “It’s fine, we’ll manager.” She replied getting a few things out of her bag.

       “At least we have a television that works. I want to keep an eye on that storm.” Gage said turning on the small 13-inch monitor that sat on the dilapidated dresser. 

       “What storm?” CC asked as Gage’s words caught her attention.

       “Oh you were sleeping.  There is a tropical storm set to hit here late tonight early tomorrow.”

       “But we are supposed to leave here tomorrow.” Cc said sitting down next to him on the bed.

       “I know that’s why I’m hoping it waits or it shifts directions.” Together they sat watching the television reports, which were looking promising.

      

 

                     ****This is Tom Davies down here at channel 18 News Weather Center. The latest update shows that Tropical Storm Dixie has picked up speed and intensity. It appears that if it keeps on this course and picking up intensity as it has been it will reach full hurricane before it reaches us. We are expecting it to hit Houston within three to four hours.  We suggest that you seek shelter and any persons in low-lying areas should seek higher shelter. We will continue to bring you updated information as it comes in. This is Tom Davies out. ****

 

       “Gave what are we going to do?”

       “We are staying right here. This building is secure and we’ll be fine.  Nodding her head she went into the bathroom and put on a T-shirt and flannel pants.  A part of her was scared she didn’t care for thunderstorms and now here she was waiting for a hurricane to hit them.  Yet as she walked back out into the main room she found herself almost a little excited about being stranded with Gage.

 

 

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       Back in Dallas Tammy had finished with her questioning and was awaiting her partner back in their office at the Dallas branch of the Agency.  It was early evening and she knew Crystal should have had more than enough time to get her interview done and be back at the Agency yet she was no where to be found.  If it had been any other case she would have been worried but she knew that her partners lack of appearance was due more to the broken heart she had ensued upon herself and that of Walker.

       “Sorry I’m here…I needed to take a walk and sort of lost track of time.”

       “That’s all right, Lee and Amanda aren’t back yet anyway.  Apparently they had some train anniversary today and left shortly after lunch.  The note they left said they should be back any minute.  So what is up with you?”

       “Nothing…what did you find out?” She said trying to change the subject.

       “Not that fast…I have been trying to find you and I know you are upset about something…it’s Walker isn’t it?”

       “Why would you think that?” She asked seeing the look in her partner’s eyes and knew she was busted. “All right yeah it’s him.  I hate lying to him you know? I stopped by the hospital today and saw him before coming in earlier…he told me he loves me.  How on earth do I respond to that? I mean here I am a federal agent and unable to tell him that the only reason I’m engaged to his friend and former partner is because I’m investigating funny money in that friend’s account.” 

       ‘Well after you find out what I did things will be looking up…I am guessing after we talk to Lee and Amanda this entire façade will be able to fall and you can talk to Walker.”

       “And what do I say?  Oh I’m sorry I led your best friend on?”

       “Tell him the truth.”

       “Like you have Trivette?”

       “That’s different…”
       “How?”

       “It’s complicated…” Getting the “evil” eye from her partner Tammy knew she was talking in circles and just as she was about to continue a knock was heard on their door and as Lee stuck his head in they welcomed their bosses inside where they discussed the case and were able to put everything to rest. 

 

       ‘Great so the money is just money funding their book?” Amanda asked a half hour later as Tammy and Crystal revealed the information they had found. 

       “Exactly.  It appears that several years ago when they first met they decided to write a book.  We still aren’t sure exactly why Ms. Portugal chose to send the money through so many wires but it’s legal and CD is off the hook.” Tammy said closing the file that sat on her desk. 

       “That’s great…well it looks like my best team has just solved another one.” Lee said as he and his wife stood shaking the hands of the female team.

       “Thanks Lee,”

       “Why don’t you both take a couple days off…we’ll see you back here fresh and ready to go.”

       They watched as the legendary team walked hand and hand out of their office.  Tammy watched as her partner sat down heavily in her chair.  “Go talk to him…you are off the hook, I know it’s going to be hard breaking this off with CD but you have to come clean now and then go talk to Walker.  Trust me Walker will understand.”
       “Only if you promise me that you will tell Trivette.” Tammy sat there for a moment she knew her partner was right she needed to tell her fiancée what she did for a living because sooner or later it would come out and lying to him would only make it worse in the end. 

       “Fine, I will…tonight.” Finishing up the last of the paperwork on the case the two signed their papers and putting them in the out basket they each got up and grabbing their purses they left the Agency for two days. 

 

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       Down in Houston the hurricane was making it’s first real appearance as the rains started and the winds picked up.  CC sat on the bed watching the weather channel as Gage put towels down on the floor to soak up the water that was already coming into their room.  Coming back to the bed he sat down next to CC.  He could tell she was tired and yet he knew she wasn’t going to sleep until she felt safe. 

       “It’s going to be all right,” Gage said turning to her as she nodded.

       “I know,” She knew her words weren’t reassuring but she spoke them nonetheless.  She had never been in a hurricane and now here she was sitting on a double bed in a hotel room during a hurricane with the man she was in love with. 

       Suddenly a tree outside snapped in the wind and came crashing down cutting the power lines outside their building.  Everything went black and CC jumped landing in Gage’s arms.  He immediately wrapped them around her and feeling her shiver with fear he held her close. 

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