Whitewater Part I - That First Night

Whitewater Part I - That First Night?

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Disclaimer: The characters in the story belong to Norris Productions and CBS

the author holds no claim to them. All copyright material must be kept intact.

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Assistant District Attorney Alex Cahill was pleased. With the help of her friend, semi-retired Texas Ranger CD Parker, Alex had managed to arrange for some, much needed R&R for herself and a certain red-bearded Ranger. Alex had calculated that it would take Cordell Walker about 24 hours before he was climbing the walls of his ranch house. His doctor had ordered him to rest so that he could recover fully from a knife wound he had sustained during a bust involving the illegal selling of computer chips. This morning she had breezed into Walker's house just at the moment Walker felt he couldn't take being cooped up in his home much longer. Alex had offered to take him for a drive to relieve the boredom and it hadn't taken too much convincing to get him into her car. Now, as they were well on their way toward an, as yet, undisclosed destination, Alex could not help congratulating herself again. She had been trying to get some time alone with Walker for a while now. She was convinced that if she had a little time to work on her Ranger he would relax and let their relationship move in a more permanent direction.

Alex's green ragtop convertible sped along SR 67. The majestic Glass Mountains seemed to rise up to meet the left-hand side of the two-lane road. The late afternoon sun glinted off the surface of the Coyanosa River, which paralleled their route on the right. With the top down Alex's golden, blond hair streamed back behind her as she deftly guided her car towards their destination. She rested her right hand on Walker's left thigh not quite believing she had him all to herself.

"Alright Alex, we've been driving for almost eight hours. Are you ever going to tell me where we are going?" Walker shifted in his seat to face his beautiful kidnapper. His movement caused Alex's hand to drop from his thigh. He was glad for the sunglasses he wore. The physical closeness to Alex was creating havoc with his libido and Walker did not want Alex to read the expression of relief that his eyes may have given away.

Giggling conspiratorially, Alex replied, "Patience darling, patience. Relax. We are almost there."

Walker sighed heavily. Alex was clearly having way too much fun keeping her plans to herself. If he was honest with himself though he had to admit that anything was preferable to his forced exile at his ranch. And anytime spent with Alex was a pleasure. But there was something disconcerting about not being in control of a situation. And he could not help feeling that he was shirking his duty by taking a vacation and leaving his partner, James Trivette, to do all the work. This probably accounted for his somewhat surly mood.

"You know, Walker," interrupted Alex. "We don't have to be where we are going until 10 a.m. tomorrow so I was planning to stop in Alpine for the night. Is that okay with you?"

"You mean I get a vote?" was Walker's quick, sarcastic reply.

"Oh, Walker. Don't be like that. This is supposed to be fun. Come on I asked you to relax." Pleaded Alex with a coaxing voice. "I figured a little dinner. Come on. Nothing wrong with that is there?"

"No, I suppose not," admitted Walker grudgingly. He was actually quite pleased. With a little more time he might be able to get Alex to change her mind about keeping their destination a secret from him. One never knew where a little underhandedness might lead he mused to himself.

The exit to Alpine came up suddenly. Since it was already around 7:00 p.m. they decided to try to find a place to eat right away. Walker was famished. They had not stopped for lunch because Alex had brought a picnic basket along in which she had placed some chicken sandwiches, some apples, and sodas. But, for someone who had been living on CD's soup concoctions since his injury, Walker needed something more substantial. And this looked just like the place to get it.

"Over there Alex. Doesn't that remind you of CD's? We're sure to get a good meal in there."

Alex took a left into a loose gravel parking lot. Dust rose around the car as they searched for a place to park. This seemed to be the place to be as the parking lot was already almost full. Finding an empty spot around the side, Alex parked. She looked up and noticed that the side of the building had the name Alpine Bar and Grill seared into the exterior wall. Someone must have exited because as the door opened the sounds of a popular country song bled out into the parking lot along with the sounds of happy conversation.

"This sounds like our kind of place, Walker," laughed Alex happily.

"I just hope they cook a good steak in this place," replied Walker non-commit tally.

Alex shook her head with exasperation at Walker's attitude. "Come on Cowboy. Let's see what they've got." Alex exited the driver's side and paused to stretch. She wasn't used to such long drives. Walker had also gotten out of the car. He had to cut his stretching short because his right side protested with a sharp painful reminder of why he was supposed to be resting.

"You alright Walker?" Alex asked, concern filling her voice.

"Yeah. Just point me in the direction of the food and I'll be fine."

Alex walked around the front of her car and looped her arm through Walker's and pulled him in the direction of the entrance. "This way Cowboy."

There was no wait to be seated. Even though the lot had been practically full the majority of the folks seemed to have come for the live band that was playing in the bar area. The restaurant area was separated from the bar by a latticework divider that decoratively split the Alpine Bar and Grill in half. To move between the two sides one had to pass through a pair of old fashioned, batwing saloon doors. Walker and Alex made a left turn through the doors and were seated at an intimate corner booth.

"You're right about it being like CD's," remarked Alex. "Has that same homey feel. Don't you think?"

"If you mean that they both have dimly lit corner booths than I'd have to agree with you Alex," responded Walker wryly.

At Alex's indignant huff, Walker decided he'd better rein in the bad boy routine a little or he was apt to get slapped. "Sorry Alex. You're right. The place has… atmosphere," Walker conceded apologetically.

That brought the smile back to Alex's face. She put her hand out to Walker. Taking a hold of his hand she squeezed it in forgiveness. Walker met Alex's gaze with his own. He didn't say anything. He didn't have to. His eyes said it all. He was sorry and he would try to do better.

A hesitant cough from their waiter broke the moment. "Excuse me. Are you all ready to order?"

Walker deferred to Alex, "Alex?"

"We're interested in steaks. Do you serve that here?" asked Alex hopefully.

"Oh, yes ma'am. That's our specialty. Any way you want 'em. We'll do'er up fine for you," replied their waiter enthusiastically.

"That's great. We'll take two steak dinners then."

"How would you like 'em cooked?"

"Walker?"

"Medium's good for me," answered Walker.

"Me too," agreed Alex.

"Anything to drink?" continued the waiter.

"Do you have those small bottles of wine that are just enough for two people?" queried Alex.

Walker interrupted hesitantly, "Uh, Alex. I don't think that's a good idea," said Walker as he moved his hand to his right side.

"You know what? Water would be fine," finished Alex as she gave the waiter one of her brilliant smiles.

"You got it ma'am. Coming right up," replied the waiter clearly happy he could please this beautiful lady.

Walker smiled to himself. Yeah. She had that effect on him too.

"Walker, I'm sorry about the wine. I forgot you're still taking those pain pills and antibiotics…"

Walker put up his hand to forestall any more apologies. "Hey, don't worry about it. I'm getting my steak aren't I?"

"Okay Cowboy. So what were you smiling about just now?" asked Alex changing the subject.

"Oh nothing you would be interested in," replied Walker mysteriously reaching out for Alex's hand again.

Alex took his hand and smiled, arching her eyebrows to express her curiosity. She had no intention however, of asking Walker again.

Walker decided to give her an answer of some sort. "I was just going over in my mind the plans I have for getting you to tell me where you are taking me tomorrow. You know I've got all night? Said Walker with a twinkle in his eye.

Alex wondered it she had imagined Walker's emphasis on the word "night". Alex answered back bravely, "You might as well forget them. You'll just have to be patient until morning."

Their conversation did remind Alex that she had wanted to check on the motel reservations that she had made. She excused herself and made her way back towards the restrooms in search of a pay phone. Alex spied what she was looking for, mounted on the wall just outside the men's room. She opened up her purse and scrounged through it looking for the scrap of paper she had scribbled the motel's number and address down on. Before she could locate it a gruff voice interrupted her.

"Hey, darlin'. How long you gonna be?"

Alex figured this guy had just come from relieving himself in the men's room. He reeked of alcohol and seemed a little unsteady on his feet. The man was a very imposing figure at over 6'5" and looking to weigh over 300 pounds. He was kind of cute in a teddy bear sort of way with long curly black hair that fell in tight ringlets to just over his shirt collar and a full beard and mustache. He had deep blue eyes that were somewhat blood shot at the moment but Alex thought that on his better days his eyes would be his best feature. He probably had been taking in the country and western band when he had felt the call of nature. Alex stepped back away from the phone.

"Go ahead. I haven't found the number I need," she offered politely.

"Naah, darlin'," drawled the man. "I don't want to use the phone. I was hoping we could get to know each other better. The name's Parsons."

"Well, Mr. Parson's," smiled Alex sweetly. "I'm sure that getting to know you would be extremely interesting. But, I'm here with someone else tonight. Maybe some other time?" Alex hoped that her attitude conveyed real regret at not being able to get to know him. Offending this man would not be wise.

Teetering a little, the fellow appeared to think over what Alex had said. "Well, sure darlin'," he agreed. Some other night then. I'll be here. You can always find 'ole Parson's here.

"You all right, Alex?"

Alex looked up to see Walker standing behind Mr. Parson's. He wore a tense frown on his face. Alex could tell that the sudden appearance of Walker was irritating the stranger. In her most winsome voice Alex quickly replied, "I'm fine Walker. I was just getting to know Mr. Parson's here." As she said it Alex placed a calming hand on Mr. Parson's arm.

Walker took in the situation and decided that it would just make things worse if he made a scene so he just nodded and retreated into the men's room as if that had been his destination the whole time.

Alex breathed a sigh of relief. "You should get back to the bar Mr. Parson's or you are going to miss the band's next set."

"Yes, ma'am. I'll do that. Remember now. Any 'ole night you can find Parson's at the Alpine."

"I'll remember that, Mr. Parson's. Alex watched as he turned and staggered back towards the bar through the saloon doors. Giving up on making her phone call Alex returned to her seat relieved that things had worked themselves out. Walker soon joined her.

"I can't leave you alone for a second without you getting into some kind of trouble," remarked Walker exasperatedly.

"What are you talking about, Cowboy. I had everything under control. It was you who almost gummed up the works butting in with your macho routine," stated Alex matter of factly.

"Macho routine? I just asked if you were all right," replied Walker sounding offended.

This bantering could have gone on all night if the food hadn't arrived just then. "Thank God!" Alex hissed under her breath as she unfolded her napkin and laid it on her lap.

For the next fifteen minutes all that could be heard was the cutting of meat, chewing of food, and contented sighs at the discovery that the steaks were indeed as their waiter had promised. Every once in a while Alex would catch Walker's eye and smile happily. She still couldn't believe that she had him all to herself for the next two days. At some point during the dinner the restaurants lights were dimmed and the staff had quietly gone around lighting the small round table candles that were on each table. Alex could not pin point just when their waiter had lit their candle but it was currently casting a romantic glow on Walker and herself.

"It's too bad we don't have more time tonight Walker," said Alex regretfully. "I would have liked to stay for a little dancing. But, I think we need to find our motel and make an early night of it. We still have two more hours of driving to do tomorrow."

Walker almost missed answering Alex. He sat mesmerized by the erotic feel of her fingers as she absently drew lazy circles in the fine hairs of his right arm as she spoke. "There ought to be a law," whispered Walker to himself.

"What was that Cowboy?"

"Uh, I was just thinking that maybe we should locate where we are going to spend the night. If we have to be wherever you are taking me by 10 a.m. maybe an early night is called for?" suggested Walker distractedly.

Alex eyed Walker askance debating whether to call him on the fact that he had just repeated her words to him. Maybe those painkillers he was taking were having some kind of unintentional effect.

Instead she asked, "Have you finished? Did you get enough to eat?" Walker nodded in the affirmative to both questions posed by Alex. "Well, I guess you're right. We should head out then," agreed Alex as she motioned to their waiter for the bill.

Exiting the Alpine Bar and Grill arm in arm Walker leaned over so that he could whisper in Alex's ear. "Thanks for dinner Lady. I'll remember to return the favor when we get back to Dallas. And I'll throw in a some dancing too."

Alex smiled at the reference to her previous regrets at not having enough time tonight to get some dancing in. "So you do listen Cowboy," purred Alex. "I was beginning to think my words were falling on deaf ears." And their meaning she continued silently to herself. Alex leaned over and planted a soft kiss on Walker's cheek in acknowledgement of his words. Walker hugged her closer to his side in response as they continued to walk.

The couple arrived back at Alex's convertible each lost in their own thoughts and loathe to part from each other's side. Walker leaned against the driver's side door and pulled Alex against his body. Time seemed to stand still as he breathed in the faint sweet fragrance of her perfume and attuned his senses to the night sounds of the mountain town. Alex lifted her face from Walker's chest where it had been resting and stared up into Walker's eyes. She felt like she could drown in the love and desire she saw there. It was like they were the only two people in the world at that moment. Walker's head began to descend into a kiss when the moment was shattered by the sound of a rowdy group leaving the Alpine Bar and Grill and swearing as one of them tripped over something in the dark and fell into the rest of them.

"Christ, Red. You just learn to walk or what?"

"Funny! Why don't you shut your face and let's get to the car."

The rest of their conversation was lost in the noise of a passing car. "Well, I guess we better find that motel," said Alex to fill in a suddenly awkward moment.

"Yeah, I guess we'd better," replied Walker pushing off from the car and making his way around to the passenger side. There wasn't enough light for Alex to make out his expression but she did notice that Walker had shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. She wondered if he was as frustrated as she was.

Alex took a right out of the restaurant's parking lot and continued on down the main street of the town for a bit. "The motel should be on your side Walker. It's called…"

"Don't tell me," interrupted Walker. "The Alpine Motel," he finished pointing up ahead to a green and white neon sign that was in the shape of a pine tree.

Alex laughed. "Not very original here are they?" Alex was distracted for a moment by the sign's no vacancy notice. She reminded herself that she had reservations and so shouldn't be worried as she turned into the motel's parking lot. Like the restaurant's lot this one was also unpaved and was made up of a bunch of loose gravel. Alex cringed a little as the small stones beat at the underside of her car. Her poor baby. She would have to take it into the shop when she got back to Dallas to make sure there was no permanent damage.

"There's a spot, Alex," called Walker pointing to a space between two Dodge Ram trucks.

He would notice that thought Alex as she wheeled her car into the tight space. It didn't look like they would be able to open their doors so Walker leapt over his passenger side door and came around to Alex's side to help her out. Alex was standing on her seat ready to jump to the ground when Walker arrived at her side and swung her over the side of the car and landed her softly on the ground next to him. The exertion caused Walker to wince in pain as his semi-healed wound balked at the extended movement.

"Walker!" protested Alex hotly. "You're going to end up opening that wound if you're not careful. I could have made it down myself."

"I'm fine Alex," shot back Walker, more upset with himself than at Alex's mother hen act. "Give me the keys so I can unlock the trunk and get our bags."

"We've got plenty of time for that. Let's check out our rooms first," countered Alex who was still upset at Walker's disregard for his injury.

"You're the boss," shrugged Walker as he extended his hand to lead her out from between the truck and her car. They proceeded together toward the motel's front office.

The motel itself was unremarkable. The rooms were on a single level in the shape of an L. The exterior walls, looking as if they needed a new paint job, were eggshell white. Each of the rooms' doors was pine green in color and had simple, brass doorknobs. The reservation desk was located in the front office where the L made a right angle. As Walker and Alex entered the office Alex noted that the usual door chime sound did not herald their arrival. The small square room was bare save for two chairs separated by a low coffee table off to their right. The left wall sported an outdated calendar opened to the wrong month. There did not seem to be anyone around to greet them. Alex began to get a bad feeling about the whole thing. Walker, to his credit made no comment, content to let Alex deal with things for the moment.

Alex gulped, "Not very encouraging is it?"

Walker tried to put the best light on it. "Maybe the reservation clerk had to visit the restroom or something?"

Just then a tall, lanky, fellow with stringy, dirty, blond hair popped up from below the counter. A little startled by the presence of two strangers in his office he peered at them for a second before speaking hesitantly, "Uh, hey folks. Ccaan I help you all?"

"Yes. We'd like to check in please," responded Alex quickly.

"I'm sorry miss. We're full up tonight," apologized the man, his mouth spreading into a gap toothed grin as he spoke.

"No. You don't understand," objected Alex clearly unnerved at having to deal with what seemed to be a reject from Deliverance. "I have reservations. In the name of Cahill," she added hoping to clarify the issue.

"Reservations you say?" queried the clerk slowly as if the concept of reservations was foreign to him.

Alex backed into Walker, a little unsteady at the turn of events. "Waaalkeer?" she whispered nervously.

Putting a steadying hand on her shoulder, Walker stepped out from behind her trying to suppress a grin. "You must have a reservation book or something," said Walker prompting the clerk.

"Oh yeah," agreed the man as if a light bulb had turned on in his head. He reached down below the counter and brought out a large, red binder that had all sorts of different papers falling out of its sides and handwritten notes plastered all over the front on little yellow stickies.

Instead of opening the book the motel clerk began to scan the yellow post-its slowly mumbling, "Cahill, Cahill," to himself as if that would help him find Alex's reservation. The wait seemed interminable to Alex. She forced herself to calm down by taking slow, deep breaths as she watched, strangely fascinated, as this creature of a man dragged a dirty index finger from one note to the other. So engrossed in watching him was she that she practically jumped out of her skin when the man suddenly shouted his success, "Cahill! Here it is. I found it. Room 125. Guess you was right ma'am. You all had a reservation after all."

Smiling weakly Alex responded. "That's great. But, my reservation was for two rooms. I don't suppose you see that anywhere?" At this point Alex did not hold out much hope. It didn't help that Walker seemed to be enjoying the whole sorry scene.

"Two rooms you say?" The motel clerk again consulted the mess of yellow stickies staring intently at the note that held Alex's reservation as if further study would miraculously produce further information. Scratching his head as he spoke, the motel clerk concluded, "Nooooo. It says here just the one room. It's got a double though. Plenty of room for you folks."

Walker interrupted before Alex could bite out an indignant response. "We'll take the room. We'll be out of here early so we'd like to settle the bill now so all we have to do is drop off the key."

Walker's request brought the motel clerk up short. As Alex watched the man mull over Walker's request she had an epiphany of sorts. "This man is the personification of what is meant by the expression, 'this is like pulling teeth', she thought ruefully. While she comforted herself with the thought that things could not get any worse Walker managed to register them both and pay the bill without too much further delay. Finally with key in hand Walker turned and, taking Alex's arm guided her out the office door.

"Well, Lady you sure know how to treat a guy to the best there is to offer," laughed Walker as the door shut behind them.

"Oh, Walker," moaned Alex dejectedly. "Don't you start. This certainly isn't turning out like I planned."

"So the single room wasn't your idea?" teased Walker unmercifully.

"Of course not!" denied Alex hotly. "I would never presume to…" Suddenly realizing that her denial made it sound like she did not want to spend time with Walker Alex started again. "I mean I don't mind sharing a room with you…" Alex amended lamely her face reddening in embarrassment at her predicament.

Seeing Alex's distress at his teasing, Walker let up. "I was only kidding, Alex. Who knew, right? Come on, here's the room. Let's see what we paid for." Walker inserted the key into the lock and turned and turned and turned. "What the…? The lock mechanism doesn't seem to be working," he explained. Walker had more success when he tried the knob. The door swung open without a problem. Feeling inside the door for a light switch he soon found what he was looking for. He deftly flipped the switch and flooded the room with a hazy yellow stream of light coming from a very low wattage bulb hanging from a ceiling socket. It seemed to be the only source of light in the room.

Walker reluctantly stepped aside to allow Alex to enter and look at their accommodations. He thought he heard her gasp in shock but when he looked at her, her face wore an unreadable expression. The double bed, the reservation clerk had mentioned took up most of the free space in the almost completely square room. There was a two-seater couch off to the right as one entered the room. It looked to have seen better days. Its back was to the air conditioning unit that seemed to be spitting out a steady stream of cold, wet air. Walker noticed that the wallpaper had come loose in spots. It sported a pine tree motif on a white background, now yellow with age. There was an ancient television set perched on a rickety pedestal off to the left. It was aimed so that anyone on the bed could watch with ease. The convenience ended there however as it was the type that one had to switch the channels manually, using a dial. All in all the room was depressing to say the least. Walker wanted to laugh at the hilarity of just how bad their circumstances were but he waited to check Alex's response to their surroundings.

Alex wanted to cry. Things definitely weren't turning out as she had planned. She had realized when she had made the reservations sight unseen that she would run the risk of being disappointed. But this! She had not thought such places still existed. The place had zip to recommend itself. It was a double negative on the romance meter. It was dank, dingy, and dreary and there was a pervasive odor of mold and she hadn't even checked the bathroom yet! "Oh, Walker, moaned Alex forlornly. I just don't know what to say."

"Frankly, Alex I don't know what to say either," agreed Walker trying hard to suppress a grin. "It's kind of hard to see the upside of this place."

Alex couldn't miss the laughter in Walker's voice. "This isn't funny Walker!" berated Alex her voice rising in anger. "This is… is criminal!" she spat. "This place ought to have its permit to operate revoked or something." Alex realized that she was ranting but she was beside herself. This place was just awful. She sat heavily on the two-seater couch dejected. The act of Alex sitting caused one of the couch's springs to break and burst through the faded green material covering the couch right next to her thigh. Screaming her shock she practically jumped into Walker's arms. "Oh, my God. Now the furniture is attacking me!"

"Hey, there," soothed Walker holding Alex close to his chest. "Everything will work out. It's only one night." Walker guided a morose Alex over to the end of the bed and sat them both down still with his arms protectively around her. That turned out to be a mistake as the bed turned on them as well. The springs in the bed as well as the mattress had definitely seen better days. The bed sagged unevenly and unexpectedly at the combined weight of Alex and Walker causing a momentary loss of equilibrium which resulted in both of them being dumped unceremoniously on the floor. Walker instinctively tried to protect Alex from hitting the floor hard so he pulled her on top of himself as they both started to fall. Walker grunted in pain as Alex's hip landed on his wounded side.

"Oh, my God. Walker are you alright?" questioned Alex in near panic searching his eyes for an answer. "I can't believe this is happening. It's like my worst nightmare," babbled Alex in confusion.

"I'm fine Alex," insisted Walker weakly as he brought them both up to a sitting position at the foot of the bed. "Maybe our best bet is the floor tonight," laughed Walker suddenly unable to hold back any longer.

"Walker. I told you this isn't funny," rejected Alex seriously.

"Oh, come on hon," coaxed Walker. "You have to laugh or you'll go crazy. Come here let me help your funny bone along," teased Walker as he moved in and began tickling the protesting ADA.

Alex was soon writhing on the floor laughing hysterically as she tried unsuccessfully to squirm from Walker's unmerciful onslaught. "Please Walker stop," panted Alex out of breath from her ordeal.

"Only if you agree that this situation is funny," commanded Walker smiling broadly down on Alex's flushed face.

"Okay, okay. I agree. It's funny," screamed Alex as Walker put in a last round of tickling as an incentive.

"There. That wasn't so hard to admit. Was it," questioned Walker still smiling, as he reached out to brush a tear that had stolen from Alex's left eye during their tickle-fest. When Walker's thumb came in contact with Alex's smooth skin the mood in the room changed. The laughter in both their eyes turned to dark pools of desire as Walker's head began to descend in a kiss. The Fates again interrupted the couple. A loud banging sounded on the wall that they shared with the room next door and it broke the moment.

"Hey. Cut it out over there. Can't a guy get a little sleep in this place."

Walker groaned as he released Alex and rolled away from her into a standing position. "Sorry, buddy," he called to their disgruntled neighbor. "We'll try to keep it down."

Alex sighed heavily as she allowed Walker to help her up from the floor. "I think I'll go take a shower before going to bed, Walker," said Alex as she slipped off her shoes and padded to the bathroom. Walker nodded his agreement as he gingerly felt around on the bed for a spot that would support his weight without too much of a balancing act.

What happened next was a blur to Walker. He was leaning over to turn on the television when he heard the shower curtain being drawn back and then a blood curdling scream and then a panic stricken Alex appeared at the bathroom door. There was a streak of motion as she dived onto the bed.

There is something alive in the bathroom."

"Wha… Alex? Alive?" Walker was speechless.

"That's right. Alive," repeated Alex in her best lawyer voice. "I opened the curtain and something long and dark scurried across the tiles and into a hole in the corner of the shower wall. I refuse to take a shower until the matter is taken care of." Alex hugged herself and took a slow, calming breath. Things were just going from bad to worse. At this rate she could not wait for morning to come.

"I'll see what I can do," replied Walker. Walker approached the bathroom slowly. Maybe whatever it was would show itself again and he would be able to catch and dispose of it. He didn't hold out much hope though. He peered into the bathroom. The curtain was still open. Walker saw the hole that Alex had referred to immediately. It was quite large to have gone un-repaired up to this point. Any number of rodent type animals could have made their home in there. As he waited for what ever it was to make an appearance Walker took in the general condition of the rest of the bathroom. He wondered if Alex had noticed its condition. Even he would be hard pressed to take a shower in this place. The general wetness that pervaded everything had made the bathroom an especially good breeding ground for all types of molds and fungi. There were patches all over the tiled floor and walls. Walker started to itch just looking at it. He backed out of the bathroom in disgust.

"Alex, I think you'd be better off…" Walker did not finish his sentence. Alex seemed to have fallen asleep in a fetal position in the middle of the bed. That was probably the best thing to do he thought. The sooner this night was over the better. He eased on to the bed trying not to jostle Alex too much. The bed was in such bad shape however that that was impossible. The slightest movement caused a rippling effect not unlike a waterbed. Alex awoke as Walker moved in beside her.

"I'm so sorry Walker," sighed Alex tiredly. "I promise you'll enjoy the next couple of days even if the first part of it isn't turning out like I planned."

"Well," laughed Walker. "I have to admit that it couldn't be any worse than this place."

"That's right. Just rub it in," groaned Alex dejectedly.

"I just lost any chance that you will tell me where you are taking me tomorrow didn't I?" asked Walker already sure of Alex's negative response.

"You got that right, Cowboy," responded Alex happily somewhat mollified by the fact that she was certain that the morning would indeed bring a definite improvement to their current circumstances. She snuggled in closer to Walker and hoped her dreams would not be invaded by the horrors she had experienced that night. "Good night, Walker."

"Good night, Alex," responded Walker as he carefully leaned into her and kissed her cheek. "Sweet dreams."

Alex smiled.

*****

Of course we all know what the next couple of days did bring!