"Are you coming to bed?" Walker asked coming into the nursery and wrapping his arms around Alex's waist. She laid her head on his chest as they looked down at their sleeping baby.
    "Yeah, I just love watching her sleep,"
    "I know what you mean," he said kissing her neck trying to entice her to come with him. Hishands began to slowly move over her body.
    "You're a naughty cowboy." Responding she turned to face him.
    "Uh huh, come one." He took her hand and guided her to bed.

                                            *******************
    "No! Let me go! Let me go!" Walker woke to Alex screaming.
    "Alex…Alex…wake up." Walker sat up taking her in his arms. "Alex," Finally she awoke and relaxed in his arms. He could feel her shaking and turning on the lamp he saw her flushed face.
    "What happened…?"
    "I don't know…" Stopping short she heard Faith was crying,starting to get up Walker stopped her.
    "I'll go calm her." Within minutes Faith was back to sleep. As Walker entered the bedroom again he found Alex staring out the window. He walked up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you want to talk about it?"
    She stood there for several minutes with tears forming in her eyes. It had been two years. Everything had been put behind her, or so she thought. That face was once again haunting her, his eyes had been staring at her. He had already caused her so much pain, why all of a sudden were the images returning? "Richard Davis…" Alex felt Walker's body tense behind her as she spoke. His arms wrapped tighter around her as if to protect her from the very thought of him.
    "What about him?"
    "I saw him…in a dream. It was so real. He was here in this room…with me, and he was…" Stopping short Alex knew Walker would be able to finish her sentence.
    "It's alright. He's behind bars where he can't hurt you."
    " I know, but it was so real."
    "Come on." He guided her back to bed and as he held her tightly they both drifted
once again off to sleep.

                                                ********************
    Early the next morning Walker awoke to sound of Faith crying. Sliding out of bed he left Alex to sleep. Going across the hall he was greeted by a suddenly happy baby. "Good morning." He said picking her up. She laid her head on his shoulder as he walked to the rocking chair. For several minutes he rocked her, enjoying the rare quiet moment with his daughter. Looking down he smiled at her, other than her bright red hair, she looked so much like Alex. He remembered the first time he had held her, both he and Alex had had tears in their eyes. Faith was a blessing. After he had lost Ellen he had given up the idea of ever having a family, but then Alex had come along several years later. Looking back he couldn't image being with anyone other than Alex, she was everything to him. Now they had Faith and he chuckled to himself thinking of how often Trivette and CD had chided him on being a "Family Man" now. Instead of just being able to drop everything and go away like they all had been used to, plans had to be made and a suitable baby-sitter had to be found before they would leave.
    Finally Walker got up and
after getting Faith ready, he carried her down the stairs. Several minutes later Alex found
them in the dining room. Walker was sitting next to Faith, who was in her high chair
attempting to eat by herself. She was only ten months old but refused to allow anyone to
feed her. CD had made a comment that she was the most stubborn child he had ever
known. But then he looked up at Alex and Walker and he knew right where she had gotten
it from.
    "Why didn't you wake me?" She asked going to her husband. Sliding her arm across
the back of his shoulders he took her hand and sat her in his lap.
    "You were up late…anyway, we can manage." He responded kissing her.
    "I can see." Alex looked over at Faith who now wore her cereal. "I better go get her cleaned up." Alex stood up to go but Walker pulled her back to him.
    "Are you alright?"
    "Yes, I am fine." She returned his kiss and
stood up. As she walked past Walker with Faith, he playfully swatted her.

                                        *******************
    "Do you want me to drop her off?" Walker asked as Alex carried Faith down the stairs.
    "No, I wanted to talk to Josie. We had a young girl come in the other day and I want to see how she's doing."
    "Then I guess I will see you later." They kissed good-bye and walked to their respective cars. Alex was a little apprehensive to go into work. The dream the night before had really scared her, it had been too real for her liking. But she couldn't think about it now…she had two cases to look over that morning and would be in a meeting that afternoon.

                                        *******************

        Trivette was already hard at work when Walker entered the office. "Hey Pard…boy you look exhausted, everything okay?"
    "Yeah, just a long night." Trivette nodded knowing that would be the end of that discussion so he chose to change the subject.
    "There was a message delivered to you just a few minutes ago. " Walker went to his desk and picked up the envelope and read the contents. He sat down for a moment closing his eyes to release the anger and frustration that had mounted throughout his entire body. In his entire life he couldn't remember being more upset with the system.
    "What's the matter?" Trivette had noticed the sudden change in Walker's temperament and had gone over to his desk. Walked motioned to the now crumpled letter and watched as Trivette picked it up and read the contents.
    "How did this happen?" "I don't know, but we have to find Alex."

                                                ***********************

    "Alex, good morning." Josie said as she came inside.
    "Good morning. How are things going?"
    "Good, we found Stephanie a job, she starts this morning."
    "Great, that sounds wonderful." Alex responded taking Faith into the daycare room and setting her down. "I really need to get to the office. I had to reschedule a meeting for later this afternoon but hopefully I will be finished by five. I'll call if I'm going to be late."
    "Ok, we'll be fine." Josie said as Alex kissed the top of Faith's head. It was still hard to leave her for the day. There were still times when she wished she had decided to quit her job and stay home with her, but she also knew that wouldn't have been the answer to anything. There wasn't a day that went by that she didn’t worry that something would happen to Faith. The decision to go back to work had been one that Alex didn't regret, but it had been hard. She would never forget the day she had gone in for an exam shortly after Faith had been born. What she had learned that day had caused almost more pain than Davis had inflicted. What she thought was just a routine check up turned into something more terrible. She remembered the look on Doctor Holland's face when he walked into his office. It was at this moment Alex knew there was something wrong with her. Within minutes she had been informed that there was scar tissue as a result to her miscarriage the previous year.
    At first she had thought it was no big deal, until being informed that her chances of having any more children was slim. The words had hit her like a train, and she sat there for several minutes holding Faith tightly to her. Their dreams of filling the ranch with children seemed to be flying out the window. She had left the office and driven home where she went upstairs and sat in the nursery rocking Faith. That was where Walker had found her later that evening. After putting Faith in her crib they had gone downstairs and talked. Walker never showed his hurt as she told him, but she knew it was there. He just reassured her that they would be fine, and reminded her time and time again that they had been given a beautiful daughter. It was at that moment Alex had decided to quit the D.A's office and stay at home. Walker had been supportive as usual. For the next several weeks Alex had tried several times to write a letter of resignation, but something always stopped her. Finally she had gone out to lunch with Josie. That afternoon Alex told Josie about the miscarriage, sharing it with someone other than CD and Trivette. Josie had listened with intent and later had said something to Alex that had made her rethink her decision,
    "Alex, I can't tell you I know what it's like to lose a child, but I can tell you that shouldn't change your life because of a fear. You are a wonderful mother, but you are also a great lawyer. Would you have quit if you hadn't lost the baby?"
    Going home that afternoon Alex kept going back to the question and realized Josie was right. She had a point, Alex shouldn't change her life because she was afraid. Never before had she ran from anything, she wouldn't start now. The decision was made, Alex would return to work. Josie had agreed to take care of Faith at the H.O.P.E Center, which helped ease Alex's mind. Walker was happy about her decision and once Alex was back in her office she too found herself happy.

                                                        ********************
    "Good morning Ms.Cahill," Jessica said as Alex walked in.
    "Good morning."
    "Ranger Walker left a message for you. He said he needed to see you as soon as you got a chance."
    "Thanks." Jessica handed her a stack of other messages and Alex went into her office. Setting her briefcase down she hit the play button on her answering machine and started to go through her messages. The phone rang, startling her. Setting down a paper she picked up the handset, "Alex Cahill."
    "Hello again Cahill, it's been a long time…"
    Alex froze at the sound of the voice. At first she thought maybe she was back in her dream "What do you want?"
    "You'll find out soon enough…" the line went dead. Hanging up the phone she sat down. Her entire body was shaking, as she wondered how Davis had managed to get out of prison. He daze was ended as Walker came in.
    "Alex, do you have a minute, I need to talk to you."
    "Does it have anything to do with Richard Davis?"
    "How did you know?"
    "I just received a phone call. How did he get out?" Walker noted the rage that had enveloped her eyes.
    "Good behavior,
apparently he was a model prisoner. They are making room and he was released."
    "So they let HIM out!" At this point Alex was ready to blow up as Walker took her in his arms. "Why weren't we notified?"
    "We were, the paperwork got lost. It was supposed to be here three days ago, I just received it this morning."
    "When did they release him?"
    "Yesterday."
    "Well he wasted no time did he?" Alex was trembling as Walker held her for a few more minutes.
    "Alex, I've been thinking, maybe you should stay at home for awhile." Walker started trying to coax her somewhere that he could watch her. "Or how about a nice vacation."
    Stepping
back Alex took a second to compose herself. Looking at Walker she smiled knowing he was
just trying to take care of her. "Thanks, but no thanks. I didn't stop my life for him before I
won't now."
    "I'm going to have someone with you at all times."
    "Walker…" Alex started to object but his fingers went to her lips and halted her protest.
    "Hon, listen, I'm not going to take any chances this time."
    "All right, I know I won't win this argument." Alex walked back
into his arms and looked up into his eyes, "Do I get to chose my "bodyguard"? She asked as
Walker watched the spark appear once again in her eyes.
    "Why?"
    "Because I know this really cute Ranger and thought maybe he'd be free."
    Walker chuckled and kissed her. "You know what, I heard that he is taking some time off."
    "Really. From what I heard he's a workaholic who hasn’t been spending enough time with his wife." Laughing they embraced, Walker was happy to see her relax again. "Wait Walker, what about Faith?"
    "I have someone going to the center already."
    "Boy someone was thinking early this morning."
 

                                                    *************************
    "So you're telling me they just let Davis go?" CD asked as Trivette and Walker sat at the bar drinking coffee.
    "Yeah," was all Walker responded he was in deep thought on how to get Davis.
    "How's Alex?" CD asked as she joined them at the bar.
    "Hungry," she responded sitting at the end of the bar next to Walker.
    "What are you doing here?" Walker asked as the three guys looked at her with questioning eyes.
    "I thought I would come in and have lunch, unless that's another thing you are going to forbid me to do." So far Walker had convinced her to reschedule nearly all of her meetings so he could accompany her.
    "Alex, darlin', you know…"
    "I know CD, it's for my own protection." Alex broke off she really didn't want to argue. It was nice getting to spend some extra time with Walker; it just bugged her having to tell him every time she wanted to go somewhere. The subject soon changed to the Sunday Dallas game against Denver. Trivette had been there on the sidelines as Aikman led them to a 36-0 victory. So he managed to spend nearly the next entire hour giving a play by play of the game.

                                                    **************
    After lunch Walker followed Alex back to her office. "Ms. Cahill, a package was delivered for you while you were at lunch." Alex nodded and walked into her office with Walker close behind. There on her desk was a box. Making her way forward she briefly closed her eyes as she took the box in her hand. Her hands were trembling and Walker took the box from her and opened it. Her eyes widened as he started to laugh. Walking to her he showed her the contents, stationary.
    "I can't believe I am afraid to open my own packages." Alex said taking the box
and setting it behind her desk.
    "Alex, it is to be expected."
    "I don’t run, and I don't let people get to me." She was frustrated with herself, the last time she felt this was when LaRue had come after her. Making up her mind there was no way she was going to allow Davis to frighten her anymore. He wasn't going to win this round.

                                                ******************
    "Is she asleep?" Alex asked as Walker came out to join her on the porch.
    "Out like a light." He responded walking up next to her.
    "Walker, you know you don't have to stay with me all the time." Alex had found out that he had handed a case to Trivette so he could stick close by her.
    "Sick of me already?" He asked as she turned to face him. Wrapping her arms around
his waist she laid her head on his chest.
    "No, honestly I'm enjoying this. I just don't want you to give things up because of Richard Davis."
    "I don't want to give you up again." Alex finally understood why it was so important for Walker to be with her. After she had been assaulted and lost their baby Alex had shut him out. It had taken a trip to see White Eagle for her to bear her fears to him. Once that occurred the demons were finally put behind her. But there had been a point when Walker had thought he would lose her forever. Thankfully she had returned to him and it hadn't been long and she had gotten pregnant with Faith. Preparing for their first child had overshadowed Davis, who by then had been put in jail.Now that he was out Walker had vowed that he wouldn't lose her again.
    "I have an
idea…what are your plans for this weekend?" Walker asked as they sat on the swing.
    "Nothing why?"
    "I was thinking of us getting away, somewhere…alone."
    "Alone? You mean just us two?"
    "That's what I had in mind, what do you think?"
    "What about Faith?"
    "Trivette will watch her."
    "Ok. What has gotten into you cowboy?" Alex asked as she laid her head on his shoulder and they interlaced their fingers.
    "What?" Walker responded with an innocent expression on his face. They sat there for a couple more hours watching the sun set and the stars appear in the sky. Together they watched the moon rise high in the sky and for the time being they forgot about Davis and everything that had happened in the past couple of days. Walker chuckled softly as he looked down and found Alex asleep in his arms. They could never sit out on the porch without her falling asleep. He ever so gently picked her up in his arms and carried her upstairs.

                                                            **************
    "Ok Trivette, what have you found?"
It was early the next morning and Walker had just dropped Alex off at her office where he
met Trivette in the hallway. Waking that morning Walker had almost convinced Alex to take
a shower with him, but Faith had awaken and foiled those plans. That was when the phone
rang. Alex had just gotten down the stairs and had to rush to answer it. Davis had startled
her. Walker had found her in the kitchen, just one look had told him something had
happened.
    Taking her in his arms he knew that weekend wouldn't come soon enough. "No one has seen or heard from Davis. We placed a tap on Alex's phone and one is being placed at the ranch as we speak. How's she holding up?"
    "About as good as can be expected. He called again this morning."
    "With you there?"
    "Yeah…hey what are your plans for this weekend?"
    "Why? What do you have in mind?"
    "Alex and I are going to get away and we were hoping that Faith's favorite uncle would come and watch her." Trivette gave a sideways glance that expressed his uncertainty. He had sat with Faith before but it had usually just been a couple of hours and she had slept though most of it. But he was never one to turn down a challenge, "Sure, ok, whenever you need me, let me know."
 

                                                        ************
    "Good afternoon Ranger Walker," Jessica said as Walker came towards Alex's
office.
    "Hello."
    "Ms. Cahill is not in.."
    Walker stopped and walked back to Jessica's desk."Where is she?"
    "She got a phone call and headed out the door. She tried to reach you but you weren't at your desk."
    "Did she say where she was going?"
    "No but whatever it was she had to leave right away." His mind started racing as he headed down to his desk. There were millions of places in Dallas she could be…and what about the phone call. All he could picture was Davis.
    "Walker, what's going on?" Trivette noted the urgent look on his partner's face.
    "Alex is gone. Someone called for her and she headed out…I am going to go try and find her." They both grabbed their hats and headed out the door. Just a few feet down the hallway they stopped as Alex came through the elevator doors.
    "What's going on?" She asked as Walker turned and went back down the hall without saying a word to her. She saw a look of anger in his eyes and knew she had messed up.
    "What's the matter?"
    "He was worried when he went to see you and you weren't there." Alex turned and walked down the hallway. She was sorry she had left without telling him, but she had had no choice. When she had left her intentions had been to be back before he found out she was even gone. The walk to her office seemed to take forever. Opening the door she leaned back against the wall. Tears were beginning to fill her eyes with the knowledge that she had really messed up this time. All she could imagine was how upset he must be at her for
leaving without telling him. But she wasn't used to having to tell him her every move, it
was this stupid thing with Davis, it had turned their lives upside down and inside out. Hearing a shuffling noise she opened her eyes and found Walker staring at her. For several minutes they stood there facing each other.
    "Walker…" within seconds they had closed the distance between themselves and embraced. "I'm sorry…a witness finally agreed to meet with me, but I had to leave immediately. I called down but you weren't there."
    Walker just held her close. "I was scared…" the words were almost a whisper but Alex had heard them loud and clear and it took her a few moments to compose herself to this sudden emotion from her husband.
    "The great Cherokee warrior was scared?" He looked down at her and smiled his half smile.
    "Yes…maybe you're right, someone else should take over."
    "Walker, nothing happened…besides I can't think of anyone I would rather have protect me than my favorite cowboy." Looking up into his eyes she combed her fingers through his hair. "So how are our plans coming for this weekend?" Alex asked changing the subject.
    "I have everything arranged."
    "Where are we going?" She asked grinning and putting her arms around his waist.
    "It's a surprise." He responded smiling back at her.
    "Surprise…you mean you aren't going to tell me?"
    "That's why it's called a surprise." Alex giggled and playfully slapped him.
    "You are just so…" Walker bent down and silenced her with a kiss.
    "I'm taking tomorrow off." Alex said as the kiss ended.
    "Does that mean we can leave early?" Walker asked with a devious look on his face.
    "No, I'm going to spend the day at the center. Oh I
almost forgot, I told Josie that Trivette is going to watch Faith and guess who is more than
happy to check up on them?"
     "Alex, are you playing matchmaker?" Walker asked noting the cunning expression on her face.
    "I would never…" she giggled as he cast her a sideways glance.
     "I didn’t have to, as soon as I told her Jimmy was coming over she jumped at the
chance to see him. But it will also make me rest easier knowing she'll be there too."
    "Ok I agree…look I better get back downstairs before Trivette sends out a search party." Kissing her one last time Walker headed out the door.

                                                            ***********

    "You know Alex, it's really strange that no one knows where Davis is. That bothers me." Walker said as the three sat down to supper for the second night in a row.
    "Honey, how about we try something new tonight. No talk about Davis, I for one could use some time without him on my mind."
    "Fair enough."
    "Josie told me some exciting news today. Faith tried to take her first step today."
    "Really?!?!"
    "Yeah, it's amazing to think before we know it she's going to be running around
here." Finishing their dinner Walker helped Alex clear the table and once the dishwasher
was loaded the three went into the living room. Alex sat back and watched with smiling
eyes, as Walker played with Faith. She always marveled at how he was with children. On
the outside he always seemed to be this tough and rugged cowboy, but inside he was a
teddy bear, especially where Faith was concerned. Alex heard the phone ring and got up to
answer it.
    "Hello."
    "Ah Ms. Cahill…be ready…I'm watching…"
    "Stay away from me!" Alex slammed the phone down as Walker stood up to meet her.
    Just then the phone rang again, but this time Walker answered it "Hello…Oh Trivette…" Alex walked over to Faith and sat down with her as Walker talked on the phone. "Ok thanks, yeah…see you then." Walker hung up the phone and stood there a few minutes before turning around.
   "What was that about?"
    "Nothing, just the office." Alex looked up at him with a half smile, knowing it had
something to do with Davis.
    "Walker, what is it?"
    "What happened to 'let's talk about something other than Davis'?" Walker chided as she leaned against the couch with Faith on the floor. Walker sat behind her, straddling her and his arms draped over her shoulders.
    "That was before he called here again…and I know one cowboy who might find himself a
little disappointed this evening…" Alex started to move as Walker attempted to pull her
back to him. Laughing Alex used everything she had and somehow, even to her amazement,
pulled Walker off the couch, on top of her.
    "Oh really, is that so?" Walker asked as Alex tried to wiggle out of his hold, but she was laughing too hard to accomplish it.
    "Yes that's so…" Walker bent down and kissed her when suddenly there was a small hand on his back. Glancing up he found himself eye level with Faith who had a bright toothy grin, and wanted to 'play' too.

                                        ***************

    Richard Davis sat there thinking of the first time he had seen Alex. He had been in a bar…CD's maybe. She had caught his attention from the moment he entered. She was sitting in a secluded booth. What first drew his attention to her he wasn't sure…maybe it was the way her smile seemed to light up the room, or how intense her eyes were as she studied over a couple of books that laid before her. Her eyes, that was it, they were the perfect shade of blue and they sparkled when she laughed. He had been fixated on her, for what seemed like hours. He had sat there watching her from across the room. But then someone had walked up. He was nothing more than a cowboy…or so he had originally thought. This guy had walked right up to her and kissed her. "How dare he do that." Davis remembered thinking. From that point on her attention was focused on the cowboy, her intensity had changed, and she was pouring over this individual. They had been holding hands and that was when he had seen the ring. She was married…well that didn't matter, things would change once she had the chance to meet him. He would change her mind and make her see that he was all she ever needed in a man. So from that night on he had followed her. He had followed them home, and many days he would sit in on her court appearances, just to watch her. No one seemed to notice him, they didn't even care. Finally he took a gamble and called her at work. That was the first time she had hurt him.
    "Alex Cahill…"
    "Hello sweetie."
    "Who is this?"
    "The man of your dreams. I thought maybe we could meet and talk…"
    "You must have the wrong number." Then she had hung up on
him. That had hurt…but he wasn't going to give up. He continued to call her, and when the
calls weren't working he decided to get her attention with flowers. Sure they were dead
flowers, but they stood for the death of her marriage that was soon to come. Following her
was a little bit trickier, people were beginning to follow him, but he didn't care. He wanted
her and he would have her. Following her that day to the university had been the easiest
yet. He had waited for over an hour before seeing her returning to her car.
    Getting out he had snuck over to the officer watching him, and knocked him out. The officer had been so focused on Cahill he hadn't noticed Davis, until a cloth filled with chloroform covered his mouth. Within seconds the drug worked it's magic and the officer was passed out. She had been easy to get into the car, he had figured she would put up some sort of a fight…well he had hoped anyway. As they drove to her home she had tensed up, but what a better placed for him to prove what sort of man he was than to take her in her own home. But she had made him mad by running. How dare she try and get away, she was his and that was the way it would always be. He loved how she tried to fight him, but it made him only want her more. Finally when he was satisfied he left her with one more passionate kiss to remember him by.
    As he walked out the door his life changed…suddenly he was tossed on the ground
by her husband, who in turn knocked him out. The next thing he remembered was coming to
in the back of a squad car. He was being charged with rape, assault with a deadly weapon
and many others that he couldn't even remember. It was several months later before he
was able to see her again. They were back in the same courtroom where he loved to watch
he, but this time it was the District Attorney that was trying the case. There she was
radiant as ever, sitting with her husband and two other Rangers he remembered seeing with
her many times at the bar. He would never forget her taking the stand with all the
confidence in the world, and when asked if she could identify her assailant she had pointed
directly at him. Not a tear was shed as she sent him to jail, at least none that he could
see. That had hurt…she was supposed to love him and yet there she was sending him to
jail.
    As she left the witness stand she was met by her husband who walked her back to
their seats next to the prosecuting attorney. The jury hadn't taken long and when the
verdict of guilty was read he remembered looking over at her and seeing her with tears in
her eyes and she fell into the arms of her husband. "She must finally be sorry she was
sending him to jail." Davis had thought. Well one day…he thought…she would pay for what
she had done. Now he was out and it was time to repay her a visit. If it was the last thing
he did, he would be with Ms. Alex Cahill. She belonged to him.
 

                                            ****************

    "Good morning," Walker said as Alex came into the dining room with Faith who was crying and tugging on her ear.
    "What's wrong?"
    "She's not feeling well. I guess it's a good thing I took the day off. Will you take her for a minute so I can call Josie and let her know I won't be in." Walker nodded and took the screaming baby. Alex left and soon returned to the dining room.
    "Walker have you seen my planner?"
    "No I haven't seen it."
    "Great…I thought I packed it in my briefcase."
    "Maybe you left it at the office. Was there something important that you needed?"
    "No, I just wanted to make a couple of phone calls, but I'll just have to wait until Monday." They sat down, Faith had began to settle down a little. She had a slight fever and Alex felt it better to stay at home and let her rest in her own crib then to go to the center where children usually ran amok, screaming and hollering. She had also convinced Walker to go into work. The goal was to try and find Davis so they could leave the next day on a relaxing weekend.
 

                                            ****************

    "Can I help you?" Josie asked as Davis walked into the center.
    "Yeah, where's Cahill?" Suddenly Josie had a gun on her and was being backed into an empty room.
    "She's not here."
    "But this said she would be here!"
Alex's planner landed on the floor next to Josie's feet.
    "I don't know what happened, she called and said she wasn't coming in." Davis slapped her knocking her down and then ran out the door. He would find her if it was the last thing he did.
 

                                                ****************
 
    Alex had gotten Faith to sleep, in her playpen, and curled up with a good book and it wasn't long before she fell asleep. Her dreams were of her and Walker, together. He was lying next to her and was caressing her forehead, pushing the stray hair from her eyes. Suddenly she opened her eyes, and was face to face with Davis. She sat up and pushed him backwards.
    "What do you want?" Alex asked standing up.
    "You know what I want." Somehow Alex managed to put the sofa between her and Davis as she tried to calm him down.
 

                                                    *********************

    "Walker," he said picking up his extension.
    "Walker, some guy was here looking for Alex. He had a gun and her planner." As soon as Davis had left Josie had rushed to the phone to call Walker.
    "Ok, thanks Josie." Hanging up the phone he rose from his desk and grabbed his hat.
    "What's up?"
    "Davis. He went to the center looking for Alex. Go get Josie and meet me at the ranch."
 

                                                ****************

    "Look you don't have to do this."
    "You hurt me, you sent me to jail…" Davis was moving towards her as Alex took a
step away. She wanted to keep him as far away from Faith as possible.
    "You hurt me too…"
    "But you were supposed to love me." Davis had moved just a step in front of Alex and was branding the gun in her face. Knowing she might not have another chance she kicked the gun from his hand. They both dove for the gun, and after a short scuffle Alex came up the winner. Standing up she kept the gun pointed at him as he stood staring at her. "Now get out of my home." Davis started moving towards the doorway, but as he saw Faith sleeping he stopped. "What a beautiful baby." He said bending over the playpen as if to pick her up.
    "Leave her alone!" The next moments seemed to happen in slow motion. Davis began to
bend down to pick her up and suddenly a shot was fired. The first shot hit him in the arm
and flung him backwards. Catching his footing he stood up straight and started walking
towards Alex. The second shot hit him in the chest and he fell to the floor, in front of Alex,
who still had the gun on him.

                                            ******************

    Walker had just arrived at the ranch. As he rushed up the stairs he heard the gunshots. Drawing his gun he entered the house and stopped in the doorway of the living room. Alex was standing over Davis who's lifeless body still rested at her feet. Her eyes were filled with terror and hatred. Walking up to her Walker eased the gun form her hands as she fell against him. Moments later Trivette and Josie came in. Josie went immediately to Faith, she picked up the crying baby and took her upstairs. Trivette called in a couple of units to take care of Davis as Walker led Alex to the couch.
    "He's dead…" Alex nodded, her mind racing.
    "He was trying to take
Faith…ohmigod…where's Faith?!?!" Alex tried getting up but Walker held her tight.
    "Josie
has her upstairs. She's alright."
    "I think we have everything finished here, Ranger Trivette." Officer Jenkins said as Trivette walked him to the door. Turning back Trivette stopped for a second to take a breather. Walking into the living room he found Walker staring out the window.
    "We're all done, Walker."
    "Ok, thanks." Walker said turning around finally.
    "How's Alex?"
    "She finally fell asleep about an hour ago? Did Josie go home?"
    "Yeah, she left just a
few minute ago. She said if you need anything to let her know." Walker could only nod his
head. His mind was still reeling of the days events. Once again he hadn't been there and
Alex had had to fight Davis alone. She was still in shock over what had happened.
    "Can you be here early?"
    "Sure, why?"
    "I’m still taking Alex away. She'll need it now more than ever."
    Trivette agreed and they walked out the front door. "I'll go finish the paperwork for you and then see you in the morning."
    "Ok thanks, Trivette." As Trivette left he noted the solemn expression on his partner's face. They both knew tough times were ahead again. Taking the life of another was not something you just bounce back from.
    Sitting down on a chair, on the porch, Walker rested. There was no doubt in his mind that he and Alex would make it through, but he knew the pain of what she was going through. Getting her away would be the best thing. Hearing the door open he turned his head to see Alex standing there. She still appeared to be in a daze. "Hi."
    "Hi." Alex responded going to the railing and looking out into the distance.
    "Did you get any sleep?"
    "A little."
    "Alex, do you want to talk about this?"
    "What is there to talk about?"
    "Alex…"he said going to her.
    "Walker, there's nothing to talk about." Alex replied turning to face him. "I'm fine."
    "Are you sure?"
    "Look, if one more person asks me how I'm feeling I'm going to explode. Yes I'm fine."
    "Ok, Ok…I'm sorry."
    "How long ago did everyone leave?" She asked a couple of minutes later.
    "Trivette just left a few minutes ago."
    "Oh….are we still going tomorrow?"
    "I was hoping so…is that alright?"
    "That's great…uh, what time did you want to leave?"
    "Around eight, is that too early?"
    "It's perfect…" Alex said turning once again towards Walker with a suggestive gleam
in her eyes. "I have an idea." She continued as she walked up to him and placed her hands
against his chest. Taking a step back Walker shook his head.
    "Honey, we're both tired and I think it would be best if we both got some sleep." Alex glared at him but he couldn't allow her to forget what had happened. More than anything he wanted to hold her and make love to her. His body was crying out for the closeness they hadn't shared in some time. Yet Walker knew it would overshadow what had happened, and they had to stay focused if she was to overcome what had happened.
    "Fine!" Walker watched as Alex turned and went into the house. Storming up the stairs she shut their bedroom door. That night Walker slept on the couch, knowing what he would allow happen if he laid next to her. Trivette arrived early the next morning. There was a death-filled calm that was resting upon the house as he entered. Entering the kitchen he found Walker reading the paper. 
    "Morning," Trivette said as Walker set the paper down.
    "Morning."
    "How are things going?" Trivette asked taking a seat
at the table. Walker started to speak, but stopped short as Alex entered the room. She
walked right past Walker without stopping and went into the kitchen. Moments later she
walked back out and seeing Jimmy she finally stopped.
    "Good morning Jimmy. How are you doing?"
    "I'm fine Alex, how are you doing?"
    "I'm fine, thanks for asking."
    "Are you about ready?" Walker asked her as she started for the door.
    "Yes." Was all she said as she headed back up the stairs.
    "What was that all about?"
    "She's upset with me. Right now
she's denying yesterday happened and I tried to break down her wall yesterday, but she got
furious."
    "That explains the blanket and pillow in the living room." Walker nodded remembering how lonely the night before had been without Alex next to him. "It's a good thing you guys are getting away."
    "Yeah that's what I'm thinking. Let's get you ready."
    Walker led Trivette up the stairs where they entered the nursery. Faith was still sleeping so they quietly ran through the instruction. After coming back down Walker packed the truck as Alex went through everything one more time. Handing him the phone numbers she told
Trivette that Josie would be checking up on them. Finally Alex headed for the truck and Trivette stood on the porch watching them leave. Barely a word was spoken as they drove. Alex was still hurt and feeling rejected from the night before. Walker didn't know what to say for fear he'd get his head ripped off. Arguments never really bothered him, except when they entailed Alex. He could have everyone in the world mad at him and it wouldn't bother him half as bad as when Alex was upset.
    Arriving at the cottage he noted Alex's surprised expression. Chuckling to himself he knew his decision had been right. Originally he had planned on taking her to the reservation to camp. But instead something had drawn him to a more modern camping experience. They grabbed their bags and once inside the cabin Walker noted that the cottage was more modern than their house. Alex took her bags to the bedroom as Walker looked around. Somehow he had to get her to open up to him. Walking to the back porch he saw a tiny creek that flowed below. As he sat there, staring, he heard, high above him, the screech of a bald eagle. Finally he knew things were going to work out.
 

                                                ***************

    The morning had gone quickly for Trivette. Faith had awoken shortly after Walker and Alex had left. It had taken him nearly thirty minutes to change her diaper and get her dressed. Things could have gone better if she hadn't gotten so antsy. Once she was dressed he had taken her down the stairs for breakfast. Never in his entire life did he think feeding any child would take as long as it had…or as messy. Now she was once again cleaned up and they were playing on the porch. He couldn't believe he had agreed to this, but after the day before, he would have done anything so Walker could help Alex.
 
 

                                                **********************

    Walker had gone to look around. Alex still wasn't talking to him anymore than she had to. A few miles down the creek he heard a couple of explosions. They had been told, when they arrived, that the were blowing open a section of the riverbed to create rapids. Heading back to the cabin he heard Alex scream. Rushing in the door he found her sitting on the floor. She was rocking back and forth, shaking like a leaf. He enveloped her in his arms and she sobbed…"Walker, I killed him! I just shot him…"
       "Alex, it's alright. Do you want to talk about it now?" Taking a few seconds Alex composed herself and she told Walker everything, including how she had feared Davis was going to take Faith, which was why she had fired the gun.
 

*****************************
    "James, what on earth are you doing?" Josie exclaimed walking into the nursery later that morning. Trivette was once again attempting to change Faith's diaper and wasn't having any better luck than before.
    "Boy am I ever glad to see you." Trivette said as Josie laughed and took over.
    "You're right Trivette, you don't handle babies well. Why did you agree to do this?"
    "Because I know Walker and Alex would need the time. I didn't think taking care of
Faith would be so difficult."
    "See that's not so hard." Josie responded lifting Faith up with a brand new diaper. Trivette just grinned as they headed back down the stairs. Sitting on the floor Josie grabbed a toy and started playing with Faith as Trivette watched in complete and total awe. "So how is Alex doing?"
    "She's not doing so hot. Walker said she's denying everything…trying to block it out of her mind.
    "I hope everything will be fine."
    "With those two you can count on it. There isn't anything yet they couldn’t' handle. When something bad happens it just makes them stronger." It wasn't long and Josie coaxed Jimmy next to her on the floor. Before long they had Faith giggling and laughing. Shortly after lunch Josie took Faith up the stairs and put her down for her nap. Waling back down the stairs she heard Trivette out on the porch swing.
    "She asleep?" Trivette asked as Josie walked out.
    "Yeah. I think we wore her out." Trivette motioned for her to take the seat next to him.
    "You're really great with kids."
    "You're not so bad yourself."
    "Yeah, right, if you hadn't shown up…"
    "James, all you need is a little practice. That little girl really likes you. Alex and Walker wouldn’t have trusted you if they hadn't thought you could do this."
     "Yea…that's why Alex asked you to come up here and check on us."
     "No she didn't…I asked if I could." Trivette looked at her with a question on his face. "James, I asked to come out here because I…because Alex said you were coming out to watch Faith. Sure, don't get me wrong, I love watching that little girl…but I wanted to watch you too." There she had said it. For months she had been wanting to tell him what she thought and now she had. Her heart raced as she waited for his reaction.
    "Wow…Josie…I don't know what to say. I'm flattered."
    "But…"
    "But what? The only but is why didn't you say something sooner?"
    "What do you mean?" Trivette leaned slowly forward and softly brushed her lips with his.
    "I've wanted to do that for a long time." Once again they leaned forward and their lips met in a long lingering kiss.
 

                                                    ********************

    "It all happened so fast." Alex finally said as they walked along the creek hand in hand. "I remember him being there, somehow I ended up with the gun and the next thing I remember is you coming in. I don't remember pulling the trigger at all." Walker had listened intently as she talked out everything. They had walked along the creek bed and back to their cottage. Now they were sitting on the couch staring into a small fire. Walker had wrapped his arms around her, comforting her, loving her. "Does the pain ever go away?" Alex asked laying her head back on his chest.
    "The first time I pulled the trigger seems like it happened yesterday. I was just starting with the DPD and had gotten a call on a domestic abuse. A husband was holding his wife hostage at gunpoint. There were several units there when we arrived. The man came out on the porch and before we knew it he had turned the guns on us. From where I was standing I had a perfectly clear shot, but I froze. Suddenly he turned his gun on his wife and killed her. That was when I finally pulled the trigger. "
    Alex sat there a moment, taking in everything. Very seldom did he share memories such as these with her. There were so many things she still didn't know about her husband. "I killed him. I tried to put it out of my mind, but the pain was there…all I could see at night was the look on his wife's face just before he pulled the trigger. Finally they gave me time off and I headed to the Badlands. After facing my fears there I came back. " Walker stopped for a second and ran his hand along her arm. "The immense pain you are feeling now will go away, but I’m not going to sugar coat this and tell you that you'll forget everything. But I'm here."
    "Thank you for sharing that with me. It really helps." Alex smiled up at Walker as she remembered what had happened the night before. "Honey, about last night…I'm sorry."
    "I know, and you're forgiven." Walker held her closer and kissed her cheek. Over the past couple of hours Alex had shared everything with him and now they were once again on the road to recovery.
 

                            ****************************

    Driving up to the ranch Walker parked his truck and he and Alex got out. She walked up to him and pulled him close. "Thank you for a wonderful weekend." She said kissing him. They had spent nearly the entire day before indoors. The privacy had been wonderful and Walker was thankful he had taken Monday off too. This had also allowed them to enjoy Sunday alone.
    "You know, I can't remember the last time I had so much fun." Alex said as they walked up the steps hand in hand.
    "I agree. Are you alright?" He asked one last time as they stopped on the porch.
    "Yes, but only because I have such a wonderful husband." He chuckled as they walked in the door.
    "Well it's about time," CD said coming out of the kitchen.
    "CD what are you doing here?" Alex asked setting down her bag on the floor.
    "Someone had to come and clean up. That kitchen was a mess!"
    "Where is everyone?" Walker asked. CD just motioned toward the stairs. Alex and Walker headed up to find them. Glancing in the nursery Alex was puzzled, they weren't there.
    "Come here." Walker said from the doorway of their bedroom. Alex smiled as she looked in. There were Trivette, Josie and Faith asleep.
    "Well it looks as though the matchmaker's plan worked." Walker said pulling her close.
    "I hope so…I hope so."
 
 
 
 
 

'Walker Texas Ranger' and it's characters belong to CBS Inc., Norris Brothers Productions and maybe other copyright holders. This story and the author is in no way connected to those copyright holders and intends no infringement on their copyrights. The story is only meant as an entertaining tribute to a great show and it's cast and crew. This story is part of a mailing ring and may be distributed and copied freely, in its entirety, for personal use. All original author and copyright information must remain intact. Any sales or other uses of this document are expressly forbidden, without the specific consent of the author(s).